KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Maruti Swift, Jimny not to be shared with Toyota
- Suzuki official confirms
- Read all details below
In an official statement, Suzuki has confirmed that the new Maruti Swift and the Maruti Jimny will remain exclusive to their brand only. This comes after Toyota has shown interest in rebadging the mass sellers under their roof, a request that the brand has politely set aside. But before we take a look at the details in this section, make sure you join our Whatsapp Group Community of petrolheads to find out more exciting stuff about the Auto world.
Maruti Swift, Jimny To Remain Exlusive To Maruti Suzuki
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Toyota has reportedly expressed interest in having its own versions of Maruti Suzuki's popular models, the Jimny and Swift, for its lineup, similar to their existing collaboration on other models like the Baleno and Glanza, Ertiga and Rumion, and Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser Hyryder. However, Suzuki has declined the proposal, stating that the Jimny and Swift are integral to its DNA, and sharing them with a Toyota badge could potentially dilute their iconic status. A Suzuki source mentioned, "Toyota wanted to badge engineer the Jimny and Swift, but we politely declined."
A company source explained the decision, stating, "Its like asking Toyota to let us badge engineer the Land Cruiser. Models that are at the heart of our brand are not meant for sharing, and both companies respect that." While the Swift is not available for sharing, the interest from Toyota is understandable. The Swift, with consistent monthly sales of over 17,100 units, holds an iconic status and strong market presence. Toyota, having successfully collaborated on Maruti's premium Nexa products, is keen on expanding its portfolio, considering the positive impact seen with models like the Glanza and Rumion, which contribute around 25 percent to Toyota's total monthly sales. Introducing a Toyota-badged Swift could potentially further boost sales by 25 percent.
Current Partnership
Currently, both Toyota and Maruti Suzuki share quite a few products in their portfolio. The Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Ertiga, Rumion, Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Toyota Innova Hycross, and the Maruti Invicto. This partnership is expected to expand soon in the future, but flagships will remain exclusive to respective brands as conveyed by the latest statements.
Verdict
The collaborative partnership between Toyota and Maruti Suzuki in India has proven to be mutually beneficial, enabling both Japanese automakers to leverage economies of scale through low-investment badge engineering exercises. This strategic collaboration has resulted in a significantly expanded portfolio for both companies, encompassing various price points and contributing to a notable increase in sales.
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