The role compact cars play

Suzuki’s products created based on a manufacturing principle of “Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi (Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, Beauty)” are compact while achieving user-friendliness, high performance, and an affordable price. By providing many people with freedom of movement, we support lifestyles in regions all over the world.
In Japan, especially in regional areas where public transport access is difficult, mini vehicles are an indispensable part of daily life because of their user-friendliness and outstanding economical performance.
Moreover, in emerging countries, Suzuki’s specialty of providing affordable, high performance compact cars matches the needs of first time car buyer customers, enabling many of them to enjoy a comfortable, affluent lifestyle with an automobile.
Of the various issues confronting the automobile industry, we are making efforts in electrification toward achieving the carbon neutrality that is viewed as being of particular importance. The compact cars that are Suzuki’s specialty are a favorite of many people because of their affordability, but making these into electric vehicles will increase their price, which reduces one of the benefits of compact cars. To continue to be an indispensable part of people’s lives, we will utilize the philosophy of “Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi (Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, Beauty)” and develop and market the right EVs for the right place by balancing cost, cruising range and equipment that respond to customers’ needs and usage styles.

Sales of models equipped with hybrid systems

We offer automobiles equipped with two types of hybrid systems: the Mild Hybrid and Hybrid systems.

■ Hybrid system product range

■ Sales of automobiles equipped with hybrid systems (HEV) and CNG*

(1,000 units)

• * Hybrid vehicles only in Japan, Europe, and other regions. Unit sales of hybrid automobiles in Others constitute the number of units exported from Japan and India.
  HEV (Hybrids) include Mild Hybrid, S-ENE CHARGE, and SHVS

Sales of CNG vehicles

■ Trends in CNG vehicle sales of Maruti Suzuki India (Thousand units)
Percentage of CNG vehicles in Maruti Suzuki India’s vehicle sales (%)

■ Comparison between CNG and gasoline vehicles (WagonR LXI 5MT comparison)

Notes:

Retail price: As of September 12, 2024. Fuel price: Delhi price as of September 12, 2024.

CO₂ emissions: Calculated based on Indian Ministry of Power notification no. S.O. 1072(E) dated April 23, 2015

Co-creation with various business partners

TOPICSSuzuki invested in the three companies through the corporate venture capital fund, Suzuki Global Ventures

Suzuki launched Suzuki Global Ventures (SGV), a Silicon Valley (USA) based corporate venture capital fund in October 2022, and invested in the three companies below.

1. Inmotive Inc.

Inmotive is a startup company that develops a lightweight, compact, and efficient 2-speed electric vehicle (EV) transmission. Suzuki and Inmotive agreed for joint development of 2-speed EV transmission in December 2022 and have since been working together for its development.
The two companies believe that the joint development has the possibility of extending electric vehicle range through efficient use of motor torque while also lowering costs due to using a smaller electric powertrain unit and improving driving performance in various driving scenes. With this investment, we will accelerate the development.
Toshihiro Suzuki, President, said “This investment further enhances our close working relationship with Inmotive, and we will take great strides toward a successful deployment of the 2-speed transmission on Suzuki vehicles. Through SGV, we will continue to make investments that address key issues globally.”

Company overview:

Company name

Inmotive Inc.

Head office

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Representative (CEO)

Paul Bottero

Established

2010

Business outline

Development of 2-speed EV transmission “Ingear”

URL

https://www.inmotive.com/

2. SORACOM, INC.

The global automotive industry is changing rapidly, accelerated by broad progress in electrification and automation and by widespread consumer adoption of “connected car” or telematics-based capabilities. Automotive manufacturers now have the opportunity to apply recent advances in hardware, software, and connectivity to create new services and deliver new levels of comfort, convenience, and safety.
Together, Soracom and Suzuki will explore opportunities to collaborate in applying leading-edge IoT technologies to develop new offerings centered around mobility services. Potential focus areas include: EVs designed for the global market, modular “mobility base units,” and new technologies and services designed to support carbon neutrality.
Both companies will continue to work toward developing new mobility services that can provide the infrastructure for business and life in a sustainable society.

Company overview:

Company name

SORACOM, INC.

Head office

9th Floor, Sumitomo Fudosan Motoakasaka Building
1-5-12 Motoakasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative (CEO)

Ken Tamagawa, Representative Director and President

Business outline

Developing and providing the SORACOM IoT Platform

URL

https://soracom.com/

3. Bumper International Limited

Bumper is a fintech company that provides Buy Now Pay Later services for car repairs and services in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. Its digital payment and loans platform enables customers to pay in installments with no interest, and its unique AI technology enables real-time financing decisions by selecting a store from among member stores, thereby making it easier for customers to take their cars for repairs and services, and dealers to attract customers.
Through the investment, we aim to enhance convenience for customers through expanding Bumper’s services.

Company overview:

Company name

Bumper International Limited

Head office

London, England

Representative (CEO)

James Jackson

Established

2013

Business outline

Buy Now Pay Later services for car repairs and services

URL

https://www.bumper.co/

TOPICSSuzuki cooperates with land-based aquaculture business of NTT Green & Food

Suzuki has decided to cooperate with NTT Green & Food, Inc. (NTT G&F) in its land-based aquaculture business. NTT G&F will use the site of a former plant of Suzuki Auto Parts Mfg. Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Suzuki, to carry out shrimp aquaculture in Shizuoka Prefecture.
As the first aquatic products operating company within the NTT Group, NTT G&F is engaged in environmentally sound seafood production through land-based aquaculture as well as research on algae, which serves as feed with respect to aquaculture.
It aims to create a sustainable food future by leveraging natural blessings through technology in seeking to ensure everyday enjoyment of delicious food on a beautiful Earth.
Since 2011, Suzuki has been operating Suzuki Farm and plans to explore opportunities for business alliances that include aquaponics business* combining NTT G&F’s land-based aquaculture with agriculture, as well as engaging in efforts to streamline operations by introducing production management processes developed by Suzuki thus far as a company in the manufacturing industry.
In seeking to solve issues of its customers and society, Suzuki will pursue opportunities for developing new businesses by partnering across various industries beyond the mobility sector while also helping to activate its communities.

• * Aquaponics is a closed-loop farming method that combines aquaculture with hydroponics. It enlists an eco-friendly, closed-loop system of production whereby fish discharge is broken down by microorganisms and absorbed by plants as nutrients, with the purified water recirculated back to the fish tank.

TOPICSELIIY Power and Suzuki announce conclusion of additional investment and business alliance agreement

In 2012, Suzuki invested ¥1 billion in ELIIY Power, a company that manufactures large-size lithium-ion batteries and electricity storage systems, to exchange technologies. As a result of the signing of the agreement, Suzuki will make an additional investment of ¥10 billion in ELIIY Power and become the largest shareholder with 21.59% of shares. In addition, Suzuki will subscribe for ¥15 billion of convertible bond-type bonds with stock acquisition rights issued by ELIIY Power. The investment and underwriting procedures were slated for completion in 2023.
The two companies also agreed to jointly develop lithiumion batteries that can be installed in both electricity storage systems and various types of mobility. The funds ELIIY Power will procure from Suzuki will be used mainly for capital investment and joint development.
ELIIY Power was established in 2006 with the aim of commercializing large-size lithium-ion batteries that can be used in both stationary battery storage and mobility applications.
Since its foundation, the company has cultivated its unique technologies (high safety, long life, and temperature characteristics) for stationary battery storage applications such as housing. By further developing such technologies in the field of mobility, ELIIY Power will contribute to solving environmental and energy problems even more and strive to realize a sustainable society.
Through this partnership with ELIIY Power, Suzuki aims to accelerate the electrification of mobility, create customerfocused products and services, and contribute to a sustainable carbon-neutral society through the use of renewable energy.

Comment from President Suzuki

“Since 2012, we have had a technical exchange with ELIIY Power. By strengthening our relationship, we will work together with ELIIY Power, who has unique technologies including high safety, long life, and temperature characteristics and expertise in the use of electricity storage batteries, to realize a carbonneutral society at a time when the transformation to electric mobility is required. We will also work to jointly develop lithium- ion batteries suitable for mobility that are both environmentally friendly and high performance. Suzuki will promote the creation of a sustainable environment in cooperation with ELIIY Power and its other investors.”

Company overview of ELIIY Power Co., Ltd.

Head office

Shinagawa, Tokyo

Representative (CEO)

Hiroichi Yoshida, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO

Established

September 2006

URL

https://www.eliiypower.co.jp/english

Business outline:

The company was founded as a venture of Keio University, inheriting the research results and philosophy of the “L2 Project” (L Square Project), an industry-academia collaboration aimed at developing, manufacturing, and selling large lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems for both stationary and mobility applications, with a focus on realizing practical, large lithium-ion batteries for shared use across these applications. The batteries used in the company’s electricity storage system are manufactured in-house through a consistent system from research and development to production. More than 94,000 batteries (as of September 2023) have been used mainly in residential buildings, as well as security, communications, hospitals and nursing care services, government offices, municipalities, etc.

TOPICSSuzuki and SkyDrive start manufacturing flying cars in Iwata, Shizuoka

TOPICSSuzuki invests in Glydways

Suzuki has invested in Glydways, Inc.
Glydways is a startup company based in the US that develops on-demand Personal Rapid Transit of autonomous, battery-operated compact electric vehicles that are the same size as mini vehicles traveling on dedicated lanes. Their mission is to revolutionize urban mobility through their new, efficient, and convenient transit system that dispatches the necessary number of vehicles on-demand while reducing the need to develop infrastructure, operating costs, and the number of vehicles.
In addition to the investment, Suzuki and Glydways have begun discussions about partnering on vehicle development and manufacturing.

● Comment from President Suzuki

“We have a keen interest in the Glydways mission to solve traffic issues globally by using their compact vehicles and lightweight, dedicated infrastructure. Their solution has much in common with Suzuki’s ‘Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi (Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, Beauty)’ philosophy, and we would like to support Glydways in achieving its vision by offering our expertise, experience, and technology for making small cars.”

● Outline of Glydways

Company name

Glydways, Inc.

Head office

South San Francisco, California, USA

Representative (CEO)

Gokul Hemmady

Established

2016

Business outline

On-demand Personal Rapid Transit

URL

https://www.glydways.com/

TOPICSTIER IV and Suzuki form capital and business alliance
— Advancing regional mobility with autonomous driving technology —

TIER IV takes the initiative of spearheading open-source software, Autoware*, to foster the development of autonomous driving technology across the industry. Leveraging Autoware, TIER IV also provides scalable software platforms and a range of solutions with a global network of partners, fueling the rollout of intelligent vehicles that will benefit society as a whole.
Suzuki, faithful to its motto, aims to “Develop products of superior value by focusing on the customer.” This founding tenet drives Suzuki’s efforts to integrate into the fabric of everyday life as an infrastructure-oriented company. In Hamamatsu City, Suzuki is pioneering smart mobility services using autonomous driving technology, specifically targeting regions where traditional public transportation services are diminishing.
Together, TIER IV and Suzuki are committed to accelerating the development of critical autonomous driving technology, aiming to transform regional mobility solutions that cater to the needs of individuals and wider society.

• * Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

Company overview

Company name

TIER IV, Inc.

Head office

Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Shinpei Kato, Representative Director and President

Established

December 2015

Business outline

Autonomous driving system development and platform business

URL

https://tier4.jp/

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, the world’’s first open-source software for autonomous driving, to empower intelligent vehicles worldwide. Harnessing Autoware, we build scalable platforms and deliver comprehensive solutions across software development, vehicle manufacturing, and service operations. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, our commitment to open-source software enables individuals and organizations to thrive within the evolving technology for autonomous driving, reshaping the future of intelligent vehicles.

TOPICSSuzuki joins Open SDV Initiative

Suzuki Motor Corporation has joined the Open SDV Initiative established by Nagoya University.
The focus of this initiative is on Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), which allow for post-purchase expansion and modification of features through software additions and updates. Meanwhile, the Mobility Digital Transformation (DX) Strategy released in May 2024 by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and its Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) places emphasis on standardizing vehicle APIs used in software applications installed in SDVs as one of its key strategies.
Under the Open SDV Initiative, Nagoya University calls on companies involved with SDVs to work with the university in formulating vehicle APIs as a preliminary step toward standardization to help achieve objectives of the Mobility DX Strategy. The CRESCO SDV Laboratory of the Center for Embedded Computing Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Informatics and School of Informatics spearheads efforts toward formulating vehicle APIs enlisting a sense of urgency in working with supporting companies. The laboratory will assess the effectiveness of such vehicle APIs, once formulated, by performing test implementation of the APIs using actual vehicles and simulators.
Suzuki, along with Nagoya University and other participating enterprises, will move forward with initiatives aimed at commercializing research results to help solve social issues.

<Reference>

Open SDV Initiative website (Japanese language only):
https://www.nces.i.nagoya-u.ac.jp/osdvi/

TOPICSSuzuki establishes a subsidiary and a fund in India
— Contributing to further economic development of India through support for social entrepreneurs in India —

Suzuki has established a 100%-owned subsidiary Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited (“Next Bharat”) and a fund “Next Bharat Venture Fund-1” (“the Fund”) in India.
Next Bharat will support and invest in social entrepreneurs working in the fields of agriculture, financial inclusion, supply chain and mobility through the Fund, with the aim of solving social issues in India through business. The company also plans to invest in venture capitals.
Suzuki began production and sales of automobiles in India in 1983, and has since been providing customers with mobilities including automobiles and motorcycles.
Through the activities of Next Bharat, Suzuki aims to build ties with the people of India beyond the mobility sector and contribute to the further development of India.

Comment from President Suzuki

“There are about 1.4 billion people in India, but we have only reached about 0.4 billion people. Next Bharat will focus on nurturing and empowering social entrepreneurs, who are passionately solving the problems of India. Through this, we will connect with the “Next Billion” people of India, extending beyond mobility and becoming a part of India’s future story.”

Overview of Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited

Company name

Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited

Head office

Special Financial Zone GIFT City, Gujarat

Representative (CEO)

Vipul Nath Jindal

Capital

INR 1 billion

Overview of Next Bharat Venture Fund-1

Fund name

Next Bharat Venture Fund-1

Total investment

US $40 million

Fund manager

Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited

TOPICSSuzuki invests in M2 Labo

Suzuki has invested in M2 Labo. Inc. (headquartered in Makinohara, Shizuoka Prefecture; Yuriko Kato, Representative Director; “M2”) through a third-party allocation of shares issued by M2.
Suzuki and M2 are working together on vehicle development and driving tests of the Mobile Mover* multipurpose robotic cart that can be used to solve agricultural issues, utilizing Suzuki’s Electric Mobility Base Unit.
This investment was made to support M2’s business as it integrates its agricultural initiatives thus far and takes on challenges of new business aimed at achieving sustainable agriculture and facilitating regional economic development. Going forward, Suzuki will combine its mobility development expertise with M2’s expertise in addressing agricultural and regional issues in contributing to the development of the regional economies.
Suzuki will persist in cooperating with companies taking on challenges of solving social issues in working toward achieving a better society.

• * Mobile Mover is a registered trademark of M2 Labo.