Toyota and Suzuki to start producing hybrid vehicles in India

Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp. will start producing their first hybrid vehicle in India, as part of a business alliance forged between the two Japanese carmakers in 2017. 

Production of the new sport utility vehicle (SUV) developed by Suzuki at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) will begin in August.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited and TKM will market the new model in India as Suzuki and Toyota models, respectively. Furthermore, the two companies  are planning to export the new model to markets outside India including Africa.

The powertrains of the new model to be on sale in India, will be equipped with mild hybrid developed by Suzuki and strong hybrid developed by Toyota. By bringing together the strengths of both Toyota and Suzuki  through the collaboration, the two companies will be able to provide a wide variety of vehicle electrification  technologies to customers and contribute to the acceleration of electrification and the realization of a carbon neutral society in India.  

“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.

““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. We appreciate the support from Toyota, and at the same time, will explore new synergy and business opportunities through continuous collaboration,” said Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki.