Toyota plans to launch compact EV in India in partnership with Suzuki

"India is one of the countries we have in mind for introduction (of BEV)," Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Executive Vice-President Shigeki Terashi told a group of visiting Indian reporters here.

Toyota

Published : Oct 22, 2019, 9:01 PM IST

Updated : Oct 22, 2019, 9:11 PM IST

New Delhi: Japanese auto major Toyota Motor Corporation on Tuesday said it plans to introduce a compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) in India in association with compatriot Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The two firms are looking to introduce the BEV at an early stage, Toyota said without disclosing a time frame.

"India is one of the countries we have in mind for introduction (of BEV)," Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Executive Vice-President Shigeki Terashi told a group of visiting Indian reporters here.

He was replying to a question on the company's plans for EVs in India considering how the eco-friendly technology has gained traction with the government pushing for it.

In August this year, Toyota and Suzuki said they will acquire a stake in each other as they seek to strengthen their alliance, which was first announced in 2016.

In March this year, they had agreed to engage in joint product development and collaboration in production, in addition to promoting the mutual supply of products by bringing together Toyota's strength in electrification technologies and Suzuki's strength in technologies for a compact vehicle.

As part of their earlier pact, the two partners had agreed to extend their collaboration to Europe and Africa over and above their partnership in India.

Suzuki will supply Ciaz sedan and Ertiga multi-purpose vehicle to Toyota in India in addition to the already agreed supplies of premium hatchback Baleno and compact SUV Vitara Brezza, which will be rolled out from Toyota's plant in India from 2022.

Moreover, Suzuki will also supply its India-produced vehicles -- Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Ertiga -- to Toyota for the African market as well.

Toyota, on the other hand, will provide Suzuki with its hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies in India through local procurement of HEV systems, engines and batteries, while also supplying THS (Toyota Hybrid System) to Suzuki in global markets.

Commenting on the significance of the partnership with Suzuki in the EV journey, Terashi said while Toyota is large in Japan it has limited presence in India and on the other hand Maruti Suzuki has large presence in India.

He further said together with Suzuki Toyota is exploring opportunities and start with compact BEV in Indian market at "early stage".

The Toyota official, however, did not provide more details.

At present Suzuki's Indian arm Maruti Suzuki is currently testing a fleet of 50 prototypes EVs based on WagonR model platform developed by the parent in Japan.

Last year, Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki had said the company has decided to launch EV in India around 2020 in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation.

The two firms are looking to introduce the BEV at an early stage, Toyota said without disclosing a time frame.

"India is one of the countries we have in mind for introduction (of BEV)," Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Executive Vice-President Shigeki Terashi told a group of visiting Indian reporters here.

He was replying to a question on the company's plans for EVs in India considering how the eco-friendly technology has gained traction with the government pushing for it.

In August this year, Toyota and Suzuki said they will acquire a stake in each other as they seek to strengthen their alliance, which was first announced in 2016.

As part of their earlier pact, the two partners had agreed to extend their collaboration to Europe and Africa over and above their partnership in India.

Moreover, Suzuki will also supply its India-produced vehicles -- Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Ertiga -- to Toyota for the African market as well.

He further said together with Suzuki Toyota is exploring opportunities and start with compact BEV in Indian market at "early stage".

The Toyota official, however, did not provide more details.

At present Suzuki's Indian arm Maruti Suzuki is currently testing a fleet of 50 prototypes EVs based on WagonR model platform developed by the parent in Japan.

Last year, Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki had said the company has decided to launch EV in India around 2020 in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation.

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(Eds: Adding quotes, CAIT reax)

    New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) The world's largest retailer Walmart CEO has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking stable and open business environment that protects investments, and demanded a cut in licenses and time required to open a store in India.

   Doug McMillon, in the two-page letter dated October 11, also raised data privacy and localisation requirement, and wanted corporations to be allowed to transfer customer data across borders.

   "A stable, welcoming regulatory environment will allow us to continue to invest in creating more jobs and building infrastructure that benefits the Indian suppliers and customers," he wrote.

   Recalling his meeting with Modi during the Prime Minister's US trip last month, McMillon said Walmart was committed to investing in India and rising sourcing from the country for its global operations.

   After investing USD 16 billion to acquire India's largest e-commere, Walmart-owned Flipkart and other online retailers were forced to overhaul their business model in line with changed rules governing foreign direct investment.

   Reacting to the letter, domestic retailers body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) termed the Walmart letter as "a pressure tactics".

   Stating that there is no instability in the economic foundations or policy structure of the government, CAIT said the letter was a pressure tactics to find a headway into the Rs 45 lakh crore business.

   In his letter to the Prime Minister, McMillon said high numbers of overlapping permits are a challenge in the retail sector. "On average, we currently need more than 45 permits and three years to open a new Best Price store. This is significantly longer than it takes in the US and many markets in which we operate".

   New Best Price store, he said, contributes to 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. "Ease store in the pipeline is slowing our ability to serve customers and create new jobs," he said. "We would hope to work with your government to fine effective ways to streamline licensing and permitting procedures for retail a well."

   He wanted 'single window' clearance model for retail stores.

   Acknowledging the government's concerns regarding data privacy of Indian citizens, he, however, wanted businesses to be allowed to transfer overseas the data generated in the country.

   "Flipkart and PhonePe have invested in local data infrastructure to ensure Indians can benefit from the growth of the data economy in India," he said. "As a company that has selected India as a hub for our global retail technology innovation, we also believe it is important to allow businesses appropriate means to transfer data across borders."

   Stating that regulators may have concerns, he said Walmart was willing to work with the government to ensure details of policy do not unnecessarily have a negative impact on the industry.

   The letter comes at a time when the world's largest brick-and-mortar retailer is preparing to launch FarmerMart in India. The food retail platform, under Flipkart, will be selling locally-produced and packaged food products directly to customers.

   India, he said, is a priority market for Walmart. "We will continue to grow our business the right way in the country."

   "Our experience in other markets has demonstrated that an open and competitive retail sector creates jobs, supports small business in agriculture and local manufacturing and helps to develop a more skilled and diverse workforce," he said.

   "With an open, stable regulatory environment, we can better serve Indian communities, source more from Indian farmers and other small suppliers and add to the more than 1,00,000 direct jobs we already support in the country."

   He said there are significant opportunities to grow sourcing from Indian companies to sell within the country as well as outside. "Over 95 per cent of what we sell in our Best Price stores in India is sourced locally, Flipkart has over 1,00,000 sellers that identify a micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and we are confident that the connections we make as we grow our business will allow us to add to the billions of dollars of exports we already source from India."

   CAIT, however, in a letter to the Prime Minister decried the pressure tactics by Walmart.

   "We would like to bring to your kind notice that the people those who are giving sermons are already engaged into several kinds of unethical and unfair business practices around the globe and have been penalised several times and are facing investigations in different countries. Recently the Walmart was fined USD 283 million by US authorities over bribery charges in India, Brazil, China and Mexico for the period pertaining to 2011. Walmart has to pay the above amount to US Department of Justice and Securities And Exchange Commission of USA," it said.

   The traders body said that business model of Amazon and Flipkart is nothing but a valuation game of numbers to increase market share and completely destroy the basic foundation and market structure of such a robust Indian retail sector and also finding ways to re-route the money.

   "The CAIT has urged the Prime Minister not to concede any ground to these unscrupulous corporates or buckle to the pressure which they are attempting to create for their own personal gains by disregarding the sanctity of India's well defined laws and policies," the association said in a statement. PTI KRH

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Conclusion:

Last Updated : Oct 22, 2019, 9:11 PM IST

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Toyota plans to launch compact EV in India in partnership with Suzuki

"India is one of the countries we have in mind for introduction (of BEV)," Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Executive Vice-President Shigeki Terashi told a group of visiting Indian reporters here.

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