Why Suzuki and Toyota have Expanded EV Partnership
Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation are poised to advance their collaboration in electrified vehicles, marking a milestone by introducing a new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) SUV.
Developed by Suzuki and manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India, the BEV SUV will enter production in spring 2025.
With this latest project, Suzuki and Toyota are deepening their ties in electrified mobility, combining strengths to tackle technological and environmental challenges.
A shared vision for mobility and carbon neutrality
The collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota is traced back to the founders of the two companies in Enshu, the western part of Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture.
Both companies originally began as loom manufacturers before transitioning to automobiles.
Since 2016, they have been working to bring people "freedom of movement and fun-to-drive," expanding their partnership across Japan, India, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The partnership has yielded collaborative production, vehicle supply and initiatives to promote electrified vehicles globally.
Koji Sato, President at Toyota highlight the strategic potential of their jointly-developed BEV platform: "By leveraging the BEV unit and platform we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in electrified vehicles.
"It 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 further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach."
The new BEV SUV, designed exclusively as a BEV, offers the combined benefits of BEV efficiency, range and off-road functionality with a 4WD system.
With advanced development contributions from Suzuki, Toyota and Daihatsu Motor Corporation, the BEV platform utilised in this SUV highlights each company's unique strengths.
"Suzuki will supply our first BEV to Toyota globally. I am grateful that the collaboration between the two companies has further deepened in this way. While continuing to be competitors, we will deepen our collaborations toward solving social issues, including realising a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach."
Key potential impacts of the collaboration on the global EV market
1. Increased competition in electric SUVs
Introducing a BEV SUV brings new competition to the global electric SUV market, a rapidly-expanding segment within the EV industry. Toyota's established worldwide network and Suzuki's strengths in key markets like India will likely give this BEV SUV a significant presence and consumer reach.
2. Technological innovation through joint development
The collaboration's success could lead to technological advancements within the EV industry. By co-developing the BEV unit and platform, Suzuki, Toyota and Daihatsu are setting a foundation for a BEV that meets high standards in both technology and performance, which could influence design trends in the EV sector.
3. Efficient, cost-effective production in India:
Suzuki's decision to manufacture the new BEV SUV at its facility in Gujarat, India, reflects both companies' commitment to cost efficiency. The production strategy could contribute to competitive pricing, enabling the BEV to reach a broader audience across international markets.
4. Accelerate EV adoption and market diversification:
By offering a BEV SUV with enhanced features like 4WD and extended range, Suzuki and Toyota are contributing to the growing EV adoption in popular SUV segments. For consumers, the addition diversifies EV choices in a market where options are steadily increasing, encouraging more widespread acceptance of EVs.
5. Global supply chain impact and industry influence:
The partnership may bring new dynamics to the EV supply chain, potentially creating new supplier opportunities and reshaping industry relationships. The collaboration might inspire other automakers to pursue similar partnerships, further reshaping the competitive landscape of the global EV industry.
On the horizon
Introducing this BEV SUV demonstrates Suzuki and Toyota's commitment to sustainable innovation and collaborative progress toward carbon neutrality.
The combined strengths could prove transformative for the global EV market, setting new standards in the electric SUV sector while encouraging further alliances across the automotive industry.
Make sure you check out the latest edition of EV Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Sustainability LIVE 2025.
EV Magazine is a BizClik brand.
