Suzuki has politely declined to share the Suzuki Swift and Jimny models with Toyota despite ongoing collaboration between the two companies and numerous rebadging of models in the past.

According to Autocar India, Toyota is very interested in badge engineering the iconic Suzuki Swift and Jimny, having already previously rebadged the Toyota Glanza (Suzuki Baleno), Rumion (Ertiga), and Urban Cruiser (Grand Vitara).

Also read: All-new 2023 Suzuki Swift debuts - Gets 1.2L mild-hybrid and 5MT option

Another Suzuki-developed B-Segment SUV – believed to be based on the Maruti Suzuki Fronx – is also in the works and slated to dawn the Toyota badge when it goes on sale.

However, according to insider sources from Suzuki, in India at least - the company “has gently refused”, stating that both models are integral to Suzuki’s DNA, and that “selling them with a Toyota badge could dilute their iconic status.“

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The source added, “It’s 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.”

Sharing both models will undoubtedly benefit both companies. In the case of the Jimny, it could boost lacklustre production volumes, whilst generating even more success for the Swift; note 25 percent of Toyota’s monthly sales in India come from the Suzuki-badged Baleno and Glanza, the Swift will improve sales numbers for Toyota.

However, despite Suzuki holding the Swift and Jimny close to their chest, the collaboration between both companies is only set to grow – both in India and other emerging markets.

Also read: Scoop: Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki to develop 1.0-litre mild-hybrid mid-engine sports car

Following an announcement in July 2022, both companies will deepen their collaboration, leveraging Toyota's electrification technologies and Suzuki's expertise in compact vehicles. The aforementioned Fronx-based SUV – expected to debut in Q1 2024 – will be marketed in India under the Suzuki and Toyota brands and exported to other markets, such as Africa.

The new model will feature powertrains equipped with mild-hybrid (MHEV) technology from Suzuki and full-hybrid (HEV) technology from Toyota.