Japanese auto major’s Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have decided to further strengthen collaboration in the supply of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) SUV model developed by Suzuki to Toyota.

The new model is scheduled to be manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India from the spring of 2025.

Both Suzuki and Toyota’s businesses have their roots in Enshu - the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture - and both companies took on the challenge of switching their businesses from looms to automobiles.

Since Suzuki’s Chairman (current Senior Advisor) Osamu Suzuki and Toyota’s President (current Chairman) Akio Toyoda started exploring business partnerships in 2016, both automakers have engaged in a wide-ranging collaboration. The fields of collaboration are diverse and include production and mutual supply of vehicles, and the spread of electrified vehicles. As a result, the market launch of collaboration vehicles has expanded to Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

This new development marks the first BEV in the OEM relationship between the two companies. It will be launched worldwide, providing a BEV choice even in the SUV market, which is showing remarkable growth.

With this new addition, both Suzuki and Toyota will further promote their respective initiatives toward realising a carbon-neutral society. The new model was designed exclusively as a BEV.

A nimble SUV with the sharp driving characteristics of a BEV, it is said to feature ample cruising range and a comfortable cabin. It is also available with a 4WD system, offering exceptional drivability on rough roads and a more powerful driving performance.

The BEV unit and platform adopted for this model were jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Corporation, utilising each company’s strength.

Toshihiro Suzuki, President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “Suzuki will supply our first BEV to Toyota globally. I am grateful that the collaboration between the two companies has further deepened in this way. While continuing to be competitors, we will deepen our collaborations toward solving social issues, including the realisation of a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.”

Koji Sato, President, Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “By leveraging the BEV unit and platform that we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in the field of electrified vehicles. This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide. We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”

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Stellantis-owned electric vehicle brand Leapmotor recently showcased its new range of product offerings at the Brussels Motor Show.

The OEM utilised the platform to display its latest vehicle technologies and models as part of an expansion strategy within the European market. The lineup featured both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) equipped with range extenders.

The event saw the European debut of the B03X, a model designed to showcase the brand's approach to electric technology. Additionally, Leapmotor provided the first public viewing of the B05 interior, highlighting a design philosophy focused on digital integration and materials.

Leapmotor launched the B10 Hybrid EV, which employs a range extender system. Unlike conventional hybrids where the internal combustion engine frequently powers the wheels directly, this architecture uses the electric motor as the sole source of propulsion. The engine serves as a generator to produce electricity for the battery when required and is never mechanically connected to the drivetrain.

This configuration is intended to provide the torque and noise levels of a pure electric vehicle while addressing infrastructure limitations and range anxiety. The system manages energy automatically, allowing for long-distance travel without a reliance on fast-charging stations. Leapmotor positions this solution as a practical transition for regions with varying levels of electrification readiness.

In a standard HEV, the engine drives the wheels, with the electric motor acting in a supporting role. Conversely, Leapmotor's system maintains a consistent electric driving experience because the engine does not provide mechanical drive.

By removing the mechanical complexity of traditional hybrid drivetrains that switch between multiple modes, the company claims a more refined operation. The range extender is designed to operate only in ideal conditions to optimise efficiency and reduce noise.

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Japanese automotive component supplier Toyoda Gosei Co, has announced that its curtain airbag has been adopted for the LS9, a luxury battery electric vehicle (BEV) from the Chinese brand IM Motors.

This marks the first instance of a Chinese manufacturer utilising an airbag system produced by the Japanese company.

The curtain airbag is designed to deploy across windows during side collisions to reduce head impacts. The unit developed for the LS9 is 15 percent smaller in volume compared to previous versions. Despite the reduced size, the component meets the safety criteria of the Chinese New Car Assessment Programme (C-NCAP).

To meet the development timelines required by Chinese manufacturers, Toyoda Gosei used Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) technology during the design phase. This allowed the company to simulate performance and refine the product without the need for extensive physical prototyping.

The company is expanding its development capacity in China to compete with emerging manufacturers and the growth of the electric vehicle sector. By providing safety systems that meet regional requirements, Toyoda Gosei intends to increase its presence within the Chinese automotive market.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced the Thar Roxx Star EDN at prices starting INR 1.68 million for the diesel variant (manual transmission), INR 1.78 million for the petrol variant (automatic transmission) and INR 1.83 million for the diesel automatic.

This marks the expansion of the Thar Roxx range, which now features updated design elements on the interior and exterior.

The new variant incorporates a piano black front grille and matching R19 alloy wheels to update the appearance. The model introduces a Citrine Yellow colour option alongside existing shades of Tango Red, Everest White and Stealth Black.

The interior features black leatherette seats with suede accents. Standard cabin features include ventilated front seats, a sliding armrest and a 26.03-cm HD touchscreen infotainment system. The technology suite comprises a digital instrument cluster, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and Adrenox connected car features with Alexa integration. For safety, the vehicle is equipped with six airbags, a surround-view camera, and parking sensors at the front and rear.

The Thar Roxx Star EDN retains the engine options from the standard range, featuring the G20 TGDi mStallion petrol engine and the D22 mHawk diesel engine. The petrol unit produces 130 kW and 380 Nm of torque, while the diesel engine delivers 128.6 kW and 400 Nm. These variants are available with a rear-wheel-drive system and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

The SUV is built on the M_GLYDE body-on-frame platform and includes selectable terrain modes for snow, sand, and mud. It also features a brake locking differential to assist in various driving conditions.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) has launched petrol and twin-cylinder CNG versions of the Xpres sedan to broaden its fleet-specific offerings. The petrol model is priced from INR 559,000, while the CNG variant starts at INR 659,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

This expansion follows the introduction of the Xpres EV and is intended to provide a range of powertrains for commercial operators, including cab aggregators, airport transfers, and tourist services.

The Xpres CNG features a 70-litre water capacity fuel tank using twin-cylinder technology. This configuration is intended to maximise travel range while maintaining boot space, a factor that has previously limited luggage capacity in gas-powered vehicles. The petrol variant provides a boot capacity of 419 litres. Both models are powered by a 1.2-litre Revotron engine paired with a manual transmission, designed for the duty cycles required in professional mobility.

The company has stated that the maintenance cost for these vehicles is INR 0.47 per kilometre. To support fleet owners, Tata Motors has established dealerships in selected cities dedicated to commercial sales and service. These facilities are intended to provide faster vehicle turnaround and support.

The vehicles come with a standard warranty of three years or 100,000 km, which can be extended to five years or 180,000 km. The manufacturer has also introduced finance solutions specifically for fleet purchasers to assist with the acquisition of the petrol and CNG models.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “Tata Xpres was created to address the real operating challenges faced by fleet customers, including passengers and owners. Responding to the needs of our fleet customers, we are elated to introduce the first-in-segment 70-litre twin-cylinder CNG variant with best-in-segment usable boot space, alongside a petrol variant with the largest boot space. Built on our proven 1.2-litre Revotron powertrain and supported by long-term warranty, tailored finance and dedicated fleet dealerships, Tata Xpres fleet with its complete range of electric and ICE powertrains will offer a complete, future-ready mobility platform to our customers, in turn expanding our market share across India’s commercial mobility landscape.”

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