BMW and Toyota to strengthen collaboration

Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), and Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW, have announced the planned expansion of their existing cooperation initiated in December last year. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at a long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and de
July 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Akio Toyoda, president of 1686 Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), and Norbert Reithofer, chairman of 1731 BMW, have announced the planned expansion of their existing cooperation initiated in December last year. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at a long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies.

Reithofer and Toyoda also signed a joint statement to reconfirm their companies’ shared intention to strengthen the long-term, strategic collaboration between them.

In March 2012, the BMW Group and TMC signed a binding agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells. In addition, the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Europe entered into a contract in December last year, under which the BMW Group will supply highly efficient 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe starting in 2014.

This latest MoU represents the companies’ agreement in December last year to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

Related Content

  • February 2, 2012
    A carbon free and accident free Europe by 2015?
    By 2050, the Europe Commission aims to make transport in Europe carbon- and accident-free. Between now and then, however, a significant technological development and deployment effort is needed. Here, Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, talks about what's being done. In many respects, COOPERS, CVIS and SAFESPOT, set up by the European Commission (EC) to explore the potential of cooperative infrastructure systems, are already legacy projects. Between them, the three devel
    Read More
  • May 19, 2015
    First electric car ferry goes into operation in Norway
    The world’s first electrical car and passenger ferry powered by batteries has entered service in Norway. The unique solution is a result of a competition that Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration launched in 2010. The ferry only uses 150 kWh per route, which corresponds to three days use of electricity in a standard Norwegian household. Built in conjunction with shipbuilder Fjellstrand, Siemens installed the complete electric propulsion system and install
    Read More
  • January 9, 2018
    Authorities switch on to all electric buses as costs tumble
    Alan Dron looks at changes in bus propulsion as cities look to improve air quality and seek to reduce maintenance costs. Despite the ending of various incentives to adopt alternative fuels, the introduction of electric buses by US transit authorities is picking up speed as performance improves, costs drop and air quality considerations become increasingly significant. More US bus manufacturers are introducing zero-emission models and some recent contracts will see many more passengers getting their first
    Read More
  • October 26, 2012
    ITS Australia signs MOU with Czech Republic Association of Transport Telematics
    A Memorandum of Understanding to establish a bilateral relationship and develop cooperation between ITS Australia and the Czech Republic Association of Transport Telematics (ITS&S) was signed in Vienna at the 2012 ITS World Congress. The purpose of the MOU is to promote collaboration in ITS research, planning, promotion and deployment of technologies, and to improve membership value through research, education and commercial cooperation.
    Read More

Highlighted Content