Suzuki to rebrand Toyota hybrids as part of new tie-up
TOYOTA WILL PRODUCE Suzuki-badged hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Corolla estate as part of a new wide-ranging collaboration between the two firms.
The new Suzuki cars, due to go on sale late in 2020, will be additions to the firm’s European range, providing it with the chance to grow its market share – with hybrid systems that will help it to meet future CO2 targets.
The two models are part of a wide-ranging partnership that has been in the works since 2017 and will initially focus on Toyota’s electrified tech and Suzuki’s expertise in compact vehicles.
While Suzuki will gain the two new European models and the use of Toyota hybrid engines globally, Toyota will adopt Suzuki’s newly developed compact vehicles’ engines in as yet undetermined small vehicles in Europe. Toyota will build its own versions of the engines.
In a boost to UK manufacturing, the Corolla estate-based Suzuki will be built alongside the Corolla at Toyota’s Burnaston plant. The addition of the new model is not expected to increase the number of people employed at the Derbyshire facility. The hybrid powertrains will be produced at Toyota’s Deeside facility.
Marvin Cooke, head of Toyota’s UK manufacturing division, said: “Seeking to produce additional volume for other manufacturers is one example of all the efforts we are making to keep our UK manufacturing operations as competitive as they can be.”
The two firms will also work to develop a number of hybrid and compact vehicles for the Indian and African markets. The agreement also includes them looking at conducting joint future research, particularly in areas of development and production, although it also calls for the two firms to “continue to compete freely and fairly against each other”.