Toyota and Suzuki are to collaborate on possible new projects for technology development, vehicle production and market development.

The partnering could see Toyota provide technological support for its development of a compact, ultra-high-efficiency powertrain

The project will cover the mutual supply of vehicles for the Indian market and possibly other markets. This would see Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd (TKM) produce models developed by Suzuki for sale in India through both the Toyota and Suzuki brand networks.

The collaboration could also see other joint efforts, including Toyota providing Suzuki with technological support for its development of a compact, ultra-high-efficiency powertrain.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda said: “As members of Indian society, Toyota, along with Suzuki, will do its best to enhance freedom and fun in a future mobility society and to make “Made in India” vehicles cherished in Africa and many countries around the world.”

The news follows the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two companies in November 2017, on moving forward in considering a cooperative structure for introducing electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian market in around 2020. The MOU itself followed the companies entering into business discussions in February last year.

Furthermore, Suzuki, with Toshiba, is currently constructing a new battery manufacturing facility in India to facilitate its electrified ambitions there and elsewhere in the world, slated to be ready in 2020.