Toyota, Suzuki Plan Launch of Jointly Developed BEV Model

Toyota signs an agreement with fellow Japanese automaker Suzuki to supply it with battery packs for its future battery-electric vehicles.

The motorcycle and automobile manufacturer has developed advanced production capabilities for automotive powerpacks and the two companies plan to release a new electric SUV model for the Asian market scheduled to be built at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India from the spring of 2025.

The move builds on collaboration between the two companies that started in 2016 and now involves partnerships in the production and mutual supply of vehicles and the spread of electrified vehicles. As a result, the market launch of vehicles produced in collaboration has expanded to Japan, India, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Now the pair embark on the first BEV to be jointly developed and, ultimately, one which will be marketed to all of the companies’ global markets.

The companies say the new model is designed exclusively as a BEV and promises to be a nimble SUV, with dynamic driving characteristics offering an “ample” cruising range and a spacious cabin. It will be available with all-wheel drive.

Its powertrain and platform are jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota and Daihatsu.

Toyota President Koji Sato says: “By leveraging the BEV unit and platform that we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in the field of electrified vehicles. This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide. We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete and undertake further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”