Auto Giants Maruti Suzuki and Toyota joint are currently working on a wide range of new models which includes a new mid-sized SUV and an all-new MPV – codenamed 560B. Currently, the JV is working on all new electric strategy which will include the local development of EVs for domestic as well as international markets.
This all-new SUV shall be produced in the Gujarat based plant of Suzuki. Listed are the top things you should know about the first Maruti Suzuki electric model.
Contents
SIZE
Codenamed as YY8, the first Maruti Suzuki electric vehicle shall be larger than Hyundai Creta. Toyota shall also launch its own variant of the all-electric model.
LAUNCH DATE
It is around October 2024 that the Maruti Suzuki YY8 mid-sized SUV and its equivalent Toyota e-SUV shall make global debut in Europe. In the first half of 2025, the new model shall arrive in India, and then shall arrive in the land of rising sun, Japan.
This JV shall reportedly produce around 1.25 lakh electric models per year. Out of total 125000, 60,000 models will be reserved for the Indian market, 40,000 for Europe and remaining 25000 for Japan.
NEW PLATFORM
For the joint development of electric cars, Toyota, Mazda and Denso had established a new company EV C.A. (Common Architecture) Spirit Co. A flexible skatboard that can support a wide range of vehicles has already been developed by the company. Different body sizes starting from compact cars to large SUVs and even light trucks can be accommodated in this flexible platform.
Different wheelbase, sizes and electric motors can be accommodated in the 40PL platform. The Subaru Solterra, Lexus RZ and the Toyota BZ4X are the first products to be based on this platform.
A different derivative of the 40PL platform, codenamed as 27PL is being developed as Suzuki-Toyota JV. A wide range of family EVs starting from compact cars, MPVs or SUVs shall be developed on the platform.The first mid-sized electric SUV will be based on the 27PL.
LOCALLY SOURCED BATTERY PACKS
Including the battery pack, there will be high level of local content in the new midsized SUV. The battery pack shall be sourced from TDSG, which is a large-scale battery manufacturing JV between Suzuki, Denso and Toshiba all set to setup a manufacturing facility in Gujarat to locally manufacture lithium-ion battery packs.
The cost of the electric SUV shall be significantly reduced due to the local sourcing. The company will initially source the battery pack from BYD, which unveiled the ‘Blade Battery’ cells in early 2022. These Blade Cells are claimed to be “ultra-safe” and cheaper.
PRICE
The estimated price of the new Maruti electric SUV, due to the high level of localization, is between Rs 13 – Rs 15 lakh. If Maruti is able to sell at the stated price, then it would be more affordable than India’s top-selling electric car – Tata Nexon EV – that costs from Rs 14.29 lakh to Rs 16.90 lakh (all, ex-showroom).
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