Toyota's Indian arm to make cars developed by Suzuki in the country

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota to sell these cars locally, export them.

Japanese auto major Toyota’s India subsidiary may produce models developed by Suzuki for sale in the Indian market through retail outlets of  Maruti Suzuki and Toyota. These models, and other from Suzuki will also be exported to markets such as Africa for sale through the network of the two Japanese entities. Toyota’s local entity has a capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles a year, but is able to use just half of the capacity from the current sales.
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) have agreed today to start discussing new joint projects in the fields of technological development, vehicle production, and market development, the two entities said in a statement. Another area of discussion will be the offer of technological support by Denso Corporation and Toyota for a compact, ultrahigh-efficiency powertrain to be developed by Suzuki.


Since the conclusion of last year’s memorandum towards business partnership, the two companies have been exploring concrete projects for collaboration in areas, including environmental technology, safety technology, information technology, and the mutual supply of products and components. The two companies have already announced a decision to jointly work towards development of electric cars for the Indian market, due for launch in 2020.


Toyota’s India unit will also source two cars manufactured by Maruti Suzuki, the Baleno and Brezza, including their hybrid variants, and in return Toyota will offer its Corolla sedan to Maruti. These vehicles, with some changes, will be badged under the name of the company selling them.



“As members of Indian society, Toyota, along with Suzuki, will do its best to enhance freedom and fun in a future society of mobility and to make “Make in India” vehicles cherished in Africa and in many other countries around the world,” Akio Toyoda, president at TMC said in the statement. Osamu Suzuki, chairman at SMC said the hopes the new joint projects will contribute to the future success of both companies, not only in India, but also in the global market.