Suzuki Motors and Toyota Motors have announced an agreement according to which some of their offerings will undergo cross-badging. This will see both the Japanese Automobile giants manufacturing products for each other in the Indian market. Suzuki will receive Toyota’s executive sedan, the Corolla Altis, and will supply its premium hatch, the Baleno as well as its sub 4 metre SUV, the Vitara Brezza to Toyota. The cars wearing new badges are expected to go on sale in April-May 2019.
Toyota, through its subsidiary in India will sell Baleno and Brezza under its own brand. On the other hand, Corolla Altis will be sold by Suzuki through its local unit Maruti Suzuki. With the help of this agreement, both the carmakers will get a chance to enter the segments in which they had little or no significance. Toyota will be seen selling premium hatchback and Maruti Suzuki will witness the sales of an executive sedan. As of now, Toyota sells only one hatchback, that is, the Etios Liva. Similarly, Suzuki sells only one sedan, the Ciaz.
Reportedly, the deal may expand to producing hybrid vehicles as well in around 2020. The companies mentioned that they would disclose the details regarding supply schedule, quantity to be supplied, specifications and pricing of these offerings at a later stage. Maruti Suzuki’s edition of the Corolla Altis can be bought from any of the Maruti dealerships, probably from a Nexa showroom, which happens to be a section of premium offerings by the brand. On a similar note, Toyota’s version of Baleno and Vitara Brezza can be purchased from a Toyota dealership.
“By competing with each other with the goal of mutual improvement, Toyota and Suzuki aim to invigorate the Indian automotive market to enhance their products and services,” Toyota and Suzuki said in their joint statement. They also added, “Toyota and Suzuki remain committed to the widespread acceptance and the use of less fuel-consuming vehicles to help India reduce its environmental footprint and enhance energy security.” Toyota and Suzuki also said they will obtain parts of the vehicle models included in the concluded agreement locally in an attempt to achieve the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Maruti Suzuki Corolla or Toyota Baleno?
