Since 2021, Toyota and Maruti have been engaged in somewhat of a marriage of convenience.

The terms were pretty simple. Toyota would share its hybrid technology with Maruti Suzuki. In exchange, Toyota would get to re-enter the pocket-friendly segment.

So what this meant was that the non-premium Toyota cars sold were actually built by Maruti. And the fully hybrid cars sold under the Maruti label were built by Toyota.

This arrangement has worked well for both companies for multiple reasons. The biggest of which is the growing popularity of hybrid vehicles in India in the recent past.

But in the process, EV makers seem to be losing big time.

Tune in.

P.S. While you are here, why don’t you check out the latest episode of The First Two Years, The Ken’s early careers podcast. It’s a good one! Akshaya talks about how to network without seeming desperate. Check it out here.

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