New Delhi:
In the year 2017, Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation signed a MoU to jointly explore opportunities and share technologies. Both companies have spelt out the areas of collaboration and it is a known fact that Maruti Suzuki will share the Ciaz, Ertiga, Baleno and Vitara Brezza with Toyota for India and other developing markets. And now, Maruti Suzuki has shared that it will make use of the unutilised production capacity of Toyota's Bengaluru plant to manufacture the Vitara Brezza.
While speaking to NDTV’s carandbike, R.C. Bhargava- Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India said, "Toyota has some spare capacity in their Bangalore plant. We will use that capacity to manufacture the Brezza. That saves us the investment which otherwise would have been required. We will utilise that capacity, so it's a win-win for both of us. We get cars without making any investment and they get something to use their capacity. So we are all looking always to maximise the efficiency of the total system."
It is to be noted that Toyota’s total annual production capacity is 310,000 units. The first plant which started production in the year 1997 has a production capacity of 100,000 units and operates at full capacity to assemble the Innova Crysta and Fortuner. The second plant which started production in the year 2010 has a production capacity of 210,000 units, however, the half of its capacity is left unexploited. The plant, which used to manufacture Toyota's sedan and the Etios Liva hatchback, will now manufacture the VItara Brezza.
Interestingly, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Baleno are the first two models which will be cross badged by Toyota for the Indian market.
Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki confirmed that it will phase out current diesel engines from its line-up by April 1, 2020. The company has also reaffirmed that the Vitara Brezza will soon be offered with the petrol variant.
