Japanese giants to work together
Toyota will benefit from a supply chain that has helped Suzuki dominate India, while Suzuki could access Toyota’s innovations
Tokyo — Toyota and Suzuki are planning to trade expertise in parts supplies and research and development in a deal that will aid expansion in emerging markets and help them cope with rapid technological sophistication. The deal could see Toyota benefit from a supply chain that has helped Suzuki dominate India’s market, while Suzuki could hope to access Toyota’s innovations in automated driving, artificial intelligence and low-emission vehicles. "Toyota and Suzuki have agreed to work towards the early realisation of a business partnership," they said in a joint statement, singling out areas of possible co-operation such as procurement and environment-and safety-related technology. They said they saw no need to rush into a capital tie-up. The agreement comes about four months after Suzuki, Japan’s fourth-biggest vehicle maker, said it was struggling to keep up with research and development in an industry exploring nonpetrol engines and self-driving vehicles — areas in which it has yet...
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