Suzuki forged an alliance with Toyota internationally in 2016 under which both Japanese auto giants will share certain models with each other. This includes jointly developed products as well as re-engineered models developed by Suzuki and vice versa. This partnership will mutually help both car manufacturers to raise their production, especially in developing countries like India.
Some common products under this partnership include Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza, Toyota Innova Hycross/Suzuki Invicto, and Suzuki Grand Vitara/Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder to name a few. This alliance will now grow beyond ICE models, involving future electric vehicles from both brands.
Maruti eVX-based Toyota EV on cards
Suzuki and Toyota have jointly released a statement announcing their first collaboration in the battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) segment. Although the name or specific details of this EV have not been revealed yet, the release states that it will be an SUV. The document further states that this SUV will be manufactured at Suzuki Motor Group (SMG) facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat.
This mostly clears the air surrounding the development of a Suzuki eVX-based SUV donning the Toyota logo. Production for this SUV is confirmed to commence from the spring of 2025. Both versions of the SUV are almost confirmed to launch in India. At the same time, both models will be exported to foreign markets such as Japan, Middle East, and Europe. In India, the launch of Maruti Suzuki eVX is expected to precede its Toyota version.
What is yet to be confirmed is whether Toyota’s iteration of the upcoming electric SUV will be a plain rebadged model with the same design barring minor cosmetic changes and a different logo or will it carry a completely different top hat with Toyota’s own design philosophy in place. Most likely, it will be the former case. Nevertheless, both versions of the electric SUV will have the exact same underpinnings.
Maruti Suzuki eVX expected details
Test mules of the Suzuki eVX have been spied on numerous occasions over the past few months. The eVX will be based on the brand’s new skateboard platform which should result in a spacious cabin. According to the company, the battery-powered SUV will be powered by a 60kWh battery pack offering up to 550 km of driving range.
The latest release reveals that the upcoming battery-powered SUV will also get all-wheel drive capabilities which suggest a dual-motor setup. In terms of dimensions, it is 4,300mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,600mm in height.
