Toyota and BMW announce link-up to develop greener motoring technologies
Fri 02 December 2011
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Toyota and BMW have announced that they are joining forces to develop a range of new, low carbon technologies. Amongst other activities, the companies say they will collaborate on research into a new generation of batteries for electric vehicles.
The companies have also agreed that BMW will supply two advanced diesel engine designs to Toyota, beginning in 2014, for models destined for the European market. The firms said they would also identify possibilities for other projects.
Daimler, Nissan and Renault also recently established an alliance in order to help them meet the targets defined by increasingly focused environmental regulation. (See related link.)
According to a report in The Scotsman, Toyota said that, as a result of the agreement with its German peer, it planned to expand its European range and sell more fuel-efficient, diesel cars.
The agreement to work together on next-generation lithium-ion batteries will give BMW access to Toyota’s long experience in the field. Toyota’s research and development chief, Takeshi Uchiyamada, said the partners would divide up the fields of research to speed up development and save costs. An equity swap may take place further down the line.
In February this year, BMW had signed a deal with French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen – with which it already partnered on engines, including for the British-built Mini – for a hybrid technology joint venture.
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