Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation have announced that they will start manufacturing a new mild-hybrid SUV model developed by Suzuki at Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), from August. The new vehicle will be marketed in India as Suzuki and Toyota models.
Furthermore, the two companies are planning to export the new model to markets outside India, including Africa, a press release from the company noted.
Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota, said, “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 realise a society where ‘no-one is left behind’ and ‘everyone can move freely.'
Toshihiro Suzuki, President, 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.”
Both parties signed an MoU in 2017 to bring together Toyota’s strength in electrification technologies and Suzuki’s strength in technologies for compact vehicles for collaboration in production and the widespread popularisation of electrified vehicles.