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.”

Cars24, one of India’s leading autotech platforms, has announced its ambitious plans to invest INR 5 billion towards advancing its technology and product ecosystem in the coming years. Furthermore, it also aims to onboard over 100 techies in the next four months.

The company aims to strengthen its R&D, data science, genAI, Machine Learning (ML), react native, devops, engineering, and product innovation teams. It will create new roles across research and development (R&D), data science, engineering, and product innovation. The teams are expected to develop advanced features such as real-time car valuations, maintenance tracking, insurance renewals, hiring drivers, and car servicing, which can be seamlessly accessed through the company’s super app.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder, Cars24, said, "At Cars24, technology drives everything we do. It’s in the code we write, the products we build, and the experiences we create for our customers. This investment is about pushing boundaries, solving real problems, and shaping the future of mobility through innovation and bold thinking."

The Indian subsidiary of Jeep, a Stellantis brand, has announced that it is supporting the Tennis Premier League (TPL) – a premier professional tennis competition that takes place in the country. 
The association of Jeep India with TPL concerns the sixth season of the sporting event that takes place at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai from 3 December to 8 December 2024. 
The association between Jeep India and TPL is said to be a fresh category partnership. Aimed at reflecting the Jeep brand’s prowess to excel in tough conditions as well as to align with existing values of the players and the league, the partnership is expected to contribute towards the growth and development of tennis in India as well. 
What is surprising though is that the partnership announcement comes at a time when the Stellantis Global CEO Carlos Tavares has abruptly stepped down. He came under rising criticism for taking the ‘lean’ strategy a bit too far post the lack lustre H1 CY25 results of the group that was formed in 2021 with the coming together of FCA and PSA Group.  
"At Jeep, we’ve always believed in going beyond limits and enabling people to achieve the extraordinary. Partnering with the Tennis Premier League allows us to support a platform that aligns with our values. We are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to a long-term partnership that will help propel Indian tennis to greater heights,” said Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India.  
Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of Tennis Premier League, averred, "We are thrilled to welcome Jeep into the TPL family as our Official Drive Partner for the upcoming season. Their reputation for resilience and performance mirrors the values we champion at TPL. This partnership strengthens our commitment to together nurturing a world-class platform for tennis in India.”
 

MG Select, the premium luxury brand from JSW MG Motor India, has confirmed its first product for the Indian market. The company is all set to unveil the MG Cyberster, which it claims is the world’s fastest MG roadster, in January 2025.

The MG B Roadster of the 1960s inspires the two-door MG Cyberster. The company shared that the name ‘Cyberster’ combines the inspiration from the company’s classic roadster and the high-on-tech features.

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Growing up and even today, many of us dream of owning a sleek sports car—the kind that makes your heart race, your hair fly in the wind, and lets you relive the romance and thrill we have all seen in iconic movies and on racetracks. The MG Cyberster brings that dream to life, blending the timeless allure of classic roadsters with modern technology and inspired innovation. It encapsulates the thrill and charm of a bygone era while appealing to the discerning tastes of new-age luxury customers in India.”

It was just recently that the company had announced the introduction of the MG Select brand, which will see exclusive experience centres in 12 cities.

From the slowdown in certain segments of automobiles – passenger vehicle particularly – in India in the first half of the current financial year to the spike in sales performance during the 42 days of the festive season, the sales performance across the board has been a mixed bag in November 2024. The figures shared reported by some automakers have witnessed a fair growth whereas some have seen some drop in sales. Tata Motors sold a total of 47,063 units of passenger vehicles in the domestic month during November 2024 as compared to the sale of 46,068 in November 2023, a modest increase of two percent. This includes EVs of which 5,202 units were sold in the domestic and export markets. The year-on-year growth came to nine percent whereas the passenger vehicle sales grew by two percent. 
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) sold 181,531 vehicles in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 164,439 units in November 2023, an increase of 10.4 percent year-on-year. In November 2024, the leading passenger vehicle manufacturer sold 144,238 units in the domestic market as compared to the sale of 136,667 units in November 2023, a modest increase of 5.5 percent. 
In November 2024, the leading Indian automaker sold 8,660 vehicles to other OEMs and exported 28,633 units, marking a 79.6 percent and 24.7 percent increase year-on-year when compared to the sale of 4,822 units, and exports of 22,950 units
Selling 59,003 utility and sports utility vehicles in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 49,016 units in November 2023 (marking a growth of 20.4 percent year-on-year), MSIL saw the sale of its hatchbacks and sedans decline from 74,916 units in November 2023 to 71,720 units in November 2024, down 4.6 percent year-on-year. 
Watching its SUVs – Creta, Alcazar and Venue – contribute 68.8 percent of the total domestic sales in November 2023, Hyundai sold 61,252 units in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 65,801 units in November 2023, a decline of seven percent year-on-year. In the domestic market, the Korean automaker sold 48,246 units in November 2024 as compared to 49,451 units in November 2023, a year-on-year decline of two percent. 
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) sold a total of 10,726 units in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 11,891 units in total in November 2023. The Japanese automaker sold 5,005 units in the domestic market as compared to the sale of 8,730 units in November 2023, a decrease of 42.6 percent year-on-year. In November 2024, 5,721 units were exported as compared to 3,161 units in November 2023, an increase of 81 percent.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 26,323 units in November 2024 as compared to the sale of 17,818 units in November 2023, an increase of 48 percent. The company exported 11,40 units in November 2024.