Three Big Japanese Automotive Companies Determined To Create Electric Mini Vans

JAKARTA - Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it will work closely with several major Japanese automotive companies to develop small electric commercial vans and fuel cell powered light trucks.

The collaboration to make the mini commercial electric van is between Toyota and the specialist mini car manufacturer Daihatsu, Suzuki Motor Corp, and Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT). Citing Reuters, the three Japanese manufacturers will start production in 2023.

According to Toyota, mini vehicles with commercial mini van types are very suitable for vehicle segmentation in Japan. According to him, the mini commercial vehicle is very suitable for exploring urban streets to narrow street locations because of its small size.

Therefore, these Japanese companies hope that these mini commercial vans will later cover 60% of the country's entire commercial fleet and can become a logistics fleet solution for the community.

The cooperation scheme is the development of a battery electric vehicle system by Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota. Suzuki and Daihatsu will provide the mini-vehicle platform, while from Toyota, they will provide electric technology. Then CJPT will make a business plan.

Furthermore, the mini-van is expected to be used in various projects between Tokyo and Fukushima Prefecture.

On the other hand, Toyota will work closely with truck makers Isuzu Motors Ltd and Hino Motors Ltd in developing fuel cell powered light trucks.

The project is slated to run through March 2030 and is organized by a Toyota-led commercial electric vehicle coalition, with participation from local governments, logistics and energy companies.

The company targets around 580 vehicles to be built for use in the project.