So far, Suzuki has not lavished itself on the electric car sector. Like most Japanese manufacturers (with the honorable exception of Nissan), the company has preferred to focus its efforts on hybrid systems… until now. And it is that the increasingly strict regulations in regions such as Europe will force the company to bet on this type of vehicle.
It is confirmed that Suzuki will launch two pure electric vehicles in our market in the very short term: a crossover from segment A (urban) scheduled for 2023, and an SUV from segment B (utility) that will wait until 2024. At the moment there is no information available. of any information on these models, although it would not be surprising if they were based on some of their current thermal proposals.
It has long been known that Maruti, Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary, is developing an electric car based on the WagonR minivan (segment A). Now, it has been revealed that the company will also present a prototype of a new electric SUV during the Auto Expo 2023 in India, which will be held in the middle of next January.
Maruti Suzuki CEO Hisashi Takeuchi explains that this event “is another opportunity for us to show our commitment to the future of mobility through our range of sustainable and technological products”, demonstrating their aim to achieve a “more” future. cleaner, greener, sustainable, and carbon neutral.”
Suzuki will have an electric SUV similar in size to the Vitara
According to Takeuchi, the concept car will be very futuristic and “will capture the imagination of enthusiasts. ” Everything indicates that it will be an SUV of similar size to the Vitara (segment B), so it could be a preview of the next generation of the iconic SUV, which is currently sold in thermal, mild-hybrid, and hybrid versions.
The electric cars that Suzuki plans to market in Europe are probably the WagonR and the Vitara, so we would be talking about two global cars. While the first would try to stand up to the Dacia Spring in the low-cost category, the second would go straight for blockbusters like the Hyundai Kona Electric or the Peugeot e-2008.
Since Toyota owns 5% of Suzuki, there may be some technological exchange in the development of their respective electric ranges. Something similar will happen with Mazda and Subaru, two other Japanese firms located in the orbit of Toyota.
