Suzuki to Make Swift Plug-in Hybrid Using Sanyo Batteries

Suzuki said its dealers will begin test driving of 60 Swift plug-in hybrids on Japanese roads from this autumn.

Suzuki displayed the Swift plug-in hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

The Swift plug-in hybrid features a series hybrid system that incorporates a small 600cc internal combustion engine, mated to an electric motor. Like Chevy Volt, the Swift plug-In hybrid uses the electric motor to move the car, and the engine acts as a generator to help produce power.

The engine will generate 54-horsepower and the electric motor will produce 74-horsepower. The Swift plug-in hybrid offers an electric range of about 12 miles (20 km).

Suzuki didn’t said when or where the car may go on sale.

Suzuki formed an alliance with Volkswagen AG in December that will include cooperation on hybrid and electric cars, and chairman Osamu Suzuki said in January his company planned to introduce electric vehicles in Japan.

Sanyo currently supplies nickel-metal hydride batteries to Honda and Ford for vehicles sold in the North American market and reportedly plans to supply Toyota as well.

Sanyo will also provide its nickel-metal hydride cells for Peugeot 3008 crossover and the Citroen DS5 models which the French carmaker plans to launch in 2011.

Sanyo has also agreed on joint lithium-ion battery development with German’s Volkswagen AG.

[source: Kyodo News]

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