Mexican Media Brands
Toyota to License Fuel-Cell Technology to BMW?
Toyota Motor Corp. may announce as early as Thursday that it is licensing its drivetrain and hybrid storage technology for fuel-cell vehicles to BMW AG, according to The Nikkei, which cites no sources.
#hybrid
Share
Toyota Motor Corp. may announce as early as Thursday that it is licensing its drivetrain and hybrid storage technology for fuel-cell vehicles to BMW AG, according to The Nikkei, which cites no sources.
The newspaper says the deal will give BMW immediate access to Toyota's know-how, with which the German carmaker will develop a prototype fuel cell-powered vehicle by 2015 and begin selling the hydrogen-fueled model in about 2020.
BMW and Toyota agreed in December 2011 to cooperate on lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Under that deal, BMW also will begin supplying Toyota with "clean" diesel engines in 2014.
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding last summer to also collaborate on electric powertrains, fuel cells and lightweight materials. BMW had been in talks with General Motors Co. about fuel-cell research but scrapped that effort after GM partnered with PSA Peugeot Citroen.
Toyota said last spring it plans to introduce a fuel cell-powered midsize sedan in about 2015 and begin building "tens of thousands" hydrogen-powered vehicles annually by 2020. The Nikkei opines that the vehicle due in 2015 will be priced at about 5 million yen ($56,400).
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Ford Maverick, Toyota Tundra Hybrid, and GM's Factory Footprint
GM is transforming its approach to the auto market—and its factories. Ford builds a small truck for the urban market. Toyota builds a full-size pickup and uses a hybrid instead of a diesel. And Faurecia thinks that hydrogen is where the industry is going.
-
Chevy Develops eCOPO Camaro: The Fast and the Electric
The notion that electric vehicles were the sort of thing that well-meaning professors who wear tweed jackets with elbow patches drove in order to help save the environment was pretty much annihilated when Tesla added the Ludicrous+ mode to the Model S which propelled the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds.
-
Tesla Owners in Germany Ordered to Return Subsidy
Germany has ordered about 800 Tesla Model S electric cars owners to pay back a €4,000 ($4,700) government subsidy they received.