Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation entered into a partnership in 2016 and signed an agreement in mid 2019 for a capital alliance to establish and promote long-term cooperation in new fields. Both carmakers agreed to share technologies and platforms and develop new models for India as well as global markets. Under this partnership, Toyota and Maruti will bring in several new cars including C-segment MPV and mid-size SUV.
The upcoming Toyota and Maruti compact SUV will be put up against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. According to a fresh media report, the new mid-size SUV will be produced at Toyota’s Bidadi based plant 2 in Karnataka. It same facility also serves as production hub for the Toyota Yaris and Camry Hybrid. The Indo-Japanese carmaker has dropped its plan to manufacture Maruti Vitara Brezza at Toyota’s Bidadi facility.
Measuring 4.3m in length, the new Toyota and Maruti SUVs will be designed on Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) modular platform. The new architecture is claimed to provide improved fuel economy, driveability and cost. It combines more high-tensile steel with resin outer panels to reduce weight. In order to create a spacious interior without changing dimensions, the carmaker has extended its wheelbase and widens the tread. Read – Maruti Suzuki’s Mid-Sized SUV To Be Based On Toyota Raize
While Toyota and Maruti’s Creta rival will share the platform, the models will carry different design languages. As of now, the engine details of the SUVs are not available. Though, the reports suggest that they could be offered with Suzuki’s 1.5L petrol and turbo-petrol engine options.
Toyota and Maruti’s new compact SUVs are slated to launch sometime in 2022. As mentioned above, the models will be developed joint that will help reduce their production cost and achieve competitive pricing.
More details about the new Maruti and Toyota mid-size SUV are likely to be revealed in near future. Stay tuned to IndiaCarNews.
