Suzuki and Toyota cement partnership with first joint battery electric SUV

Suzuki is set to supply Toyota with a battery electric SUV from its Gujarat plant in India, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in spring 2025.

Both Japanese car makers originate from Enshu, the western region of Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, with the two car makers exploring partnership opportunities since 2016

Since then, the companies have worked together across numerous areas, focusing on vehicle production, supply chain ventures and developing electrified vehicles with their cooperative efforts entering markets in Japan, India, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

This latest venture which is the first BEV model to emerge from their relationship is widely anticipated to be a reworking of Suzuki's eVX (pictured), its first fully electric concept vehicle, which debuted at the Auto Expo in Delhi last year.

Suzuki’s eVX will likely feature a 60kWh battery pack, providing a range of 550km (342 miles) on a full charge, with pricing expected to start from around £30,000, positioning it to compete directly with the next-generation Citroën C3 and the MG ZS EV.

Toyota and Suzuki have previously cross-branded models, allowing both companies to expand their market presence in key regions. In Europe, Toyota granted Suzuki the rights to sell rebadged versions of its Corolla Touring Sports and RAV4 models, which are marketed as the Suzuki Swace and Suzuki Across.

Similarly, several Suzuki models have been rebranded as Toyotas in markets outside of Europe.

Designed specifically as a BEV, the new SUV will offer an all-wheel-drive system for enhanced off-road performance destined for international markets.

The BEV’s unit and platform have been co-developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Corporation, integrating the unique strengths of each car maker.

Suzuki president Toshihiro Suzuki said: “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 towards solving social issues, including the realisation of a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.”

Toyota President Koji Sato added: “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 further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”