Toyota
Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) have finally
elaborated on their plans to work together not only in India but also globally
by leveraging each other’s core strengths on electrification technologies (Toyota)
and technologies for compact vehicles (Suzuki).
The
two auto majors had concluded a memorandum of understanding toward business
partnership on February 6, 2017. In addition to bringing together Toyota’s
strength in electrification technologies and Suzuki’s strength in technologies
for compact vehicles, the two companies now intend to grow in new fields, such
as joint collaboration in production and in the widespread popularisation of
electrified vehicles. Details of intended areas of collaboration are outlined
in the table below.
NEW COLLABORATIVE BUSINESS
|
I.
Toyota’s strengths: Provision of electrified technology and electrified
vehicles
|
|
1.
Supply THS (Toyota Hybrid System) to Suzuki.
|
Global
|
|
2.
Widely spread hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies in India through
local procurement of HEV systems, engines, and batteries.
|
India
|
|
3.
OEM supply of two new electrified vehicles built on Toyota platforms (RAV4,
Corolla Wagon) to Suzuki in Europe.
|
Europe
|
|
II.
Suzuki’s strengths: Provision of compact vehicles and powertrains
|
|
4.
OEM supply of two compact vehicles built on Suzuki platforms (Ciaz and
Ertiga) to Toyota in India.
|
India
|
|
5.
Toyota to adopt newly developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles. Such
engines are to be supported by Denso and Toyota, and will be manufactured at
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland.
|
Europe
|
|
6.
OEM supply of Suzuki’s India-produced vehicles (Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz,
Ertiga) to Toyota, targeting the African market.
|
Africa
|
|
III.
Collaboration in the fields of technological development and production,
leveraging the strengths of both companies
|
|
7.
Drawing upon Suzuki’s expertise in developing vehicles in India, joint
development of a Toyota C-segment MPV and OEM supply to Suzuki.
|
India
|
|
8.
Production of the Suzuki-developed compact SUV Vitara Brezza at Toyota
Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) from 2022.
|
India
|
Besides
this, both companies intend to consider further collaboration to realise a
sustainable future mobility society while respecting all applicable laws.
Toyota
President Akio Toyoda said: “When it comes to vehicle electrification, which is
expected to make further inroads, hybrid technologies are seen as playing a
huge role in many markets, as from before. Widespread acceptance is necessary
for electrified vehicles to be able to contribute to Earth’s environment.
Through our new agreement, we look forward to the wider use of hybrid
technologies, not only in India and Europe, but around the world. At the same
time, we believe that the expansion of our business partnership with
Suzuki—from the mutual supply of vehicles and powertrains to the domains of
development and production—will help give us the competitive edge we will need
to survive this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation. We intend
to strengthen the competitiveness of both our companies by applying our strong
points and learning from each other.”
Suzuki
Chairman Osamu Suzuki said: “At the time we announced our scope of cooperation
in May last year, I spoke that we will strive for success globally. I have seen
progress in the partnership since then, and it is my pleasure to be able to
make this announcement today regarding the status of partnership on a global
basis, including Europe and Africa. In addition, we appreciate the kind offer
from Toyota to let us make use of their hybrid technology. We will continue our
utmost efforts.”