Toyota, Suzuki concludes MoU to introduce EVs in India

Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp. have concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aiming to build a cooperative structure to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian market by 2020.

To recall, the 2 companies announced their intention to collaborate in order to catch up with the drastic changes of technological challenges in the automotive industry. To put it simply, the partnership is forged to cope up with the trend and evidently, EVs are the thing.

As part of the MoU, both parties have agreed that Suzuki will produce EVs for the Indian market and supply some units to Toyota, while the latter will provide technical support.

Moving forward, Toyota and Suzuki are said to perform a comprehensive study of activities to help the use of EVs be recognized in India. Such activities include the establishment of charging stations and systems for the appropriate treatment of end-of-life batteries. For a better labor force, they will conduct a human resources development that comprises training for after-service technicians employed throughout sales networks.

Stepping up, Suzuki stated that they are planning to create a lithium-ion battery plant on the grounds of its automobile plant in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is also said that electric motors and other major components would be locally obtained for the production of EVs in India.

With this shift of priorities in the Indian market, will the production of non-electric cars be affected? Take note that the Philippine-spec Alto small hatchback and Super Carry commercial vehicle are both imported from India, therefore supply will be more likely affected if ever there's a change in production from the source. We guess we'll just have to wait and see.