Toyota to Acquire Suzuki's First EV as Partnership Grows

In a statement, the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki Motor said that its Indian division planned to supply Toyota Motor with its first-ever electric vehicle, representing their first partnership on green vehicles.

Maruti Suzuki, which is mainly owned by Suzuki Motor, plans to begin producing the EV in the spring of 2025 at its Gujarat plant in western India.

According to the statement, Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor collaborated to build the EV.

Toyota President Koji Sato said, "We would like to learn from each other's strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach." 

Additionally, Suzuki would like to invest more than $1 million in India, its largest market outside of Japan, strengthening India as an EV powerhouse.

With a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles), the sport utility vehicle EV will be fueled by a 60-kilowatt-hour battery. Last year, an electric vehicle concept appeared at the Indian car show.

Sources claim that the largest manufacturer in the world plans to introduce ten battery-powered vehicles by 2026, including the new model. Other than the Gujarat factory, no plans exist to develop the EV elsewhere.

Earlier in the year, Toyota said that it sold about 108,000 battery-powered electric cars globally in the first nine months, which accounted for 1.5% of its total sales during that time, including sales under its luxury Lexus brand.

With a capacity of 250,000 units yearly Maruti Suzuki plans to open a fourth production line especially for EVs at the Gujarat facility.

It had previously stated that it intended to deliver the EV to markets throughout the world, including those in Europe and its parent company Japan.