Japanese automakers Toyota and Suzuki have announced an agreement to “start exploring ideas” with the view towards creating a “business partnership” of some sort.
In a joint statement, the two manufacturers said that it is becoming “increasingly important to work with other companies”, particularly in the research and development fields of environment, safety and information technology.
The statement also said that despite being able to “develop vehicles with high price competitiveness”, Suzuki is “increasingly feeling a sense of uncertainty” as the industry changes. Toyota, meanwhile, admitted that “it may be behind competitors in North America and Europe” when it comes to the establishment of standardisations and partnership with other companies.
Thus, the two automakers have started exploring opportunities for collaboration, with the aim that any such action may help both companies solve their “respective challenges”.
“This discussion is based on the prerequisite that both companies continue to compete with each other in a fair and independent manner. Toyota and Suzuki will also be open to other companies regarding this collaboration idea, and aims for standardisation in the industry,” the statement added.
Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki, said he was happy to proceed with discussions.
“Toyota is the industry-leading, and the most reliable, company, which is actively working on various advanced and future technologies. I am appreciative that Suzuki is able to start discussions with Toyota to explore ideas on a partnership,” said Osamu-san.
Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, added that his company needed to adapt to changing times.
“As the environment which surrounds the automobile industry has been changing drastically, we need to have the ability to respond to changes in order to survive. In addition to the R&D which each company is working on individually, it is very important now to have partners who share the same goal and passion,” he said.
The news comes after Toyota last week announced plans to establish an “internal company” with fully owned subsidiary Daihatsu, to develop and build compact vehicles for emerging markets. Suzuki, of course, ended its rocky marriage to Volkswagen earlier this year, after the matter ended up in the International Court of Arbitration.