Suzuki Motor Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. said Wednesday they will join an initiative led by Toyota Motor Corp. to accelerate electrification and carbon neutrality in commercial vehicles.

Suzuki and Daihatsu will each acquire a 10 percent stake in Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corp., a joint company funded by Toyota and smaller manufacturers Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Hino Motors Ltd.

The envisaged partnership is designed to promote more connected, autonomous, shared and electrified vehicles for commercial use.

Daihatsu and Suzuki are major makers of minicars with engines of up to 660 cc. Such smaller and low-cost vehicles are popular in Japan, accounting for about 40 percent of cars sold.

"Minicars serve as Japan's practical and sustainable lifelines. Now CASE and carbon neutrality are calling for a major change," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said during an online press briefing.

Daihatsu is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota. Toyota has a 4.9 percent stake in Suzuki, expanding their partnership in such fields as electrification.

Toyota, Isuzu and Hino are seeking to promote eco-friendly and autonomous driving trucks via Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies launched in April.

==Kyodo

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