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.

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).