Skip to main content

BMW and Toyota agree mid- to long-term research collaboration

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid- to long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.
March 26, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
1731 BMW Group and 1686 Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid- to long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies. Under the partnership, the two companies agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies and have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

In addition, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC’s European subsidiary, and BMW have entered into a contract under which BMW is to supply 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre diesel engines to TME starting in 2014. The engines will be installed in certain Toyota-produced vehicles planned for sale in the European market. Through this agreement, Toyota plans to expand its European lineup and sales of fuel-efficient, low CO2-emission diesel-powered vehicles.

“We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments," said Norbert Reithofer, chairman of BMW’s board of management. “Supplying Toyota with our fuel efficient and dynamic diesel engines represents another important step in the planned expansion of our sales activities for engines and powertrain systems.”

“In the spirit of contributing to furthering the development of the auto industry and society, both companies will bring their wide-ranging knowledge - starting with that concerning environmental technologies - to the table and make ever-better cars,” said TMC, President Akio Toyoda, TMC president.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK Government fast tracks driverless cars
    July 30, 2014
    UK business secretary Vince Cable has announced two new measures today that give the green light for driverless cars to take to UK roads from January 2015. UK cities can now bid for a share of a US$16.9 million competition to host a driverless cars trial. The government is calling on cities to join together with businesses and research organisations to put forward proposals to become a test location. Up to three cities will be selected to host the trials from 2015 and each project is expected to last
  • Mediamobile signs contract with Trafficmaster to enlarge its European coverage
    June 27, 2012
    Mediamobile and UK based traffic service provider Trafficmaster has signed an agreement which will enable Mediamobile to enhance its European traffic information service for carmakers, navigation system and PND manufacturers, telco's and media companies. The agreement will allow Mediamobile to offer as part of its multi-country service portfolio, traffic related data such as traffic events and traffic flow data over the UK territory produced by Trafficmaster. Whilst operating its own traffic and travel info
  • What happens to an electric car in a frontal crash?
    January 26, 2012
    At the Detroit Auto Show 2011, Volvo Cars is spotlighting the important issue of electric car safety in an unusual, but distinctive way. On the company's stand there is a Volvo C30 Electric that has undergone a frontal collision test at 40 mph (64 km/h).
  • ‘Shining moment of opportunity for tolling’
    May 5, 2021
    Climate change is already affecting tolling operations in many parts of the world. IBTTA’s Bill Cramer explains how the sector can be seen as a proven funding and financing mechanism for surface transportation