Toyota and Suzuki: a strategic partnership for the future of electric cars

In recent years, electric mobility has taken center stage in the automotive industry, pushing manufacturers to form strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation and make electric vehicles more accessible.

In this context, the collaboration between Toyota and Suzuki represents a crucial alliance for the development of electrified models, addressing the needs of a constantly evolving market.

The collaboration between Toyota and Suzuki

An alliance born to innovate

The partnership between Toyota and Suzuki began in 2016 with the goal of sharing technologies and resources.

• Toyota, a leader in hybrid and electric technologies, has provided its expertise in the field.

• Suzuki, specializing in the production of compact and efficient cars, has contributed its know-how in designing vehicles accessible to a broad audience.

In 2019, the collaboration strengthened further with a stock exchange agreement in which Toyota acquired a 4.94% stake in Suzuki, while Suzuki invested in Toyota. This strategic alliance has allowed both companies to combine skills and resources to tackle industry challenges together.

Models born from the collaboration

One of the most concrete examples of this partnership is the Toyota Glanza, a rebadged version of the Suzuki Baleno, introduced to the Indian market in 2019.

Another model resulting from this collaboration is the Suzuki Landy, based on the Toyota Noah, launched in Japan in 2022.

This platform and technology-sharing strategy enables both companies to expand their product lineup efficiently and competitively.

Electric SUVs: Toyota Urban Cruiser and Suzuki eVX

A significant step in Toyota and Suzuki’s collaboration is the development of electric SUVs aimed at strategic markets such as India, Europe, and Japan.

Toyota Urban Cruiser: advanced technology and high range

The Toyota Urban Cruiser is an electric SUV designed to offer:

• Advanced assisted driving technologies

• A range of up to 400 km

• Two battery options: 49 kWh with front-wheel drive and 61 kWh with all-wheel drive

The vehicle will have a maximum power of 135 kW and a torque of 300 Nm, ensuring high performance with efficient charging.
The official debut will take place at the Brussels Auto Show in January 2025, with commercialization expected in the third quarter of the same year.

Suzuki eVX: compactness and versatility

The Suzuki eVX is an electric SUV designed for urban mobility and longer trips, thanks to:

• Compact dimensions (4,300 mm length, 1,800 mm width, 1,600 mm height)

• A 60 kWh battery offering a range of up to 550 km

• An all-wheel-drive version with two electric motors, ideal for off-road conditions

Production will begin in spring 2025 at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant in India, with the European launch scheduled for summer 2025.

Global production and distribution

Both models will be produced in India, a key market for electric mobility growth, with a production capacity of up to one million vehicles per year.
These electric SUVs will be distributed in major international markets, including:

• Europe

• Japan

• India

Impact on the electric car market

A step forward in democratizing electric vehicles

The alliance between Toyota and Suzuki marks a significant evolution in the electric vehicle sector, combining Toyota’s technological expertise with Suzuki’s production efficiency. This partnership could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in emerging markets and reduce production costs.

Potential future developments

Innovation will not stop with these two electric SUVs. Thanks to their collaboration, Toyota and Suzuki could develop:

• New compact electric models to meet the growing urban demand

• Advanced long-life battery technologies

• Fast-charging solutions to enhance user experience

This strategy will not only strengthen their presence in emerging markets but also make electric vehicles more accessible and high-performing for an increasingly broad audience.