Toyota and Suzuki to Produce New SUV Model in India

Toyota and Suzuki will deepen their 2017-initiated business alliance with production of a new SUV model this summer, part of their stated goal to provide a mutual supply of vehicles globally.

Developed by Suzuki, the model will be the first of the alliance’s vehicles manufactured at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM), an Indian joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Kirloskar Group for the manufacture and sales of Toyota cars in India.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited and TKM will market the new model in India as Suzuki and Toyota models, respectively. Plans call for exporting the new model to markets outside India, including Africa.

The new model’s powertrains of the new model will be equipped with mild hybrid developed by Suzuki and strong hybrid developed by Toyota. The companies’ collaboration allows a wide variety of vehicle electrification technologies, promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and helping achieve a carbon-neutral society in India, according to a statement issued by both companies.

"Today, the automotive industry is facing various challenges such as electrification and carbon neutrality. By leveraging the respective strengths of Toyota and Suzuki to provide Indian customers with a variety of options, we hope to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and realize a society where 'no-one is left behind' and 'everyone can move freely,'" said Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

Promising continued collaboration with Toyota, Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki said: "Production of the new SUV at TKM is a project that can contribute to the growth of India through providing eco-friendly mobility needed by customers. We recognize that it is a big milestone toward further deepening our collaboration in the future.”