Several reports claim that first badge-engineered vehicle under the Toyota and Suzuki partnership would come to light in Q2 2019
A recent report emerged on the internet suggests that Suzuki will be pumping in one billion US dollars into Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. In today’s exchange rates, it accounts to around Rs. 6,850 crore, as the Bidadi plant, currently being not up to its full capacity at 1,50,000 units, will be utilised by Suzuki.
Several other reports earlier went on to claim that the first badge-engineered vehicle under the Toyota and Suzuki partnership would come to light in the second quarter of next year. Maruti Suzuki is supplying Vitara Brezza and Baleno to Toyota, whilst in return the latter is supplying back Corolla Altis.
The rumours of which cross-badged Toyota vehicle will come first have always been there but both the models are expected to be priced aggressively. The Maruti Suzuki badged Corolla will give the largest automaker in the country a much needed reincarnation in the premium sedan segment.
The investment Suzuki is planning will help in bringing its supplier ecosystem and make changes to the production base of Toyota for streamlining processes reportedly. A “compact ultra-high efficiency” powertrain is being developed by Suzuki and Toyota’s Denso under the new association, while we could see technologies shared between them in terms of electric mobility.
Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility will play a significant role in lithium-ion battery production to power the long-anticipated EVs in the near future. With Maruti Suzuki focussing on expanding its production capacity to accommodate up to 2.5 million units by 2030 to maintain its dominance in the domestic market, the tie-up with Toyota will be crucial.
The cross-engineered vehicles will help Toyota to break into the affordable compact segments as the brand’s success can only be witnessed in premium spaces courtesy of Innova Crysta and Fortuner.