TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW Group are working together on
next-generation batteries for green vehicles called “lithium-air” as
their collaboration, first announced in late 2011, moves ahead in fuel
cells, sports vehicles and other fields.
But both sides said Thursday the
partnership will not involve a capital alliance while spanning a wide
range of technologies for green vehicles.
The Japanese and German automakers
aim to complete a fuel-cell vehicle system by 2020, and a concept for a
mid-size sports vehicle by the end of this year. They will also work
together on developing lightweight technologies such as composites,
which will help make cars greener.
Joint research will be started to
develop a lithium-air battery, which will be more powerful than the
current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, they said. The
technology, which other automakers are also working on, will allow a
major part of the battery’s energy-making process to come from the
oxygen in air.
BMW AG board member Herbert Diess
told reporters the co-operation will help both companies boost
competitiveness in new technologies.
“We really share the same vision,” he
said at a news conference in Nagoya, central Japan, live-streamed at
Toyota’s Tokyo office.
Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi
Uchiyamada said working with BMW will allow for a much faster
development as they pool their resources.
He said the companies share a
corporate culture and they have built trust over the last year. An
agreement to work on technologies together was signed in June last year.
BMW, known for its strong design and
sporty cars, could be a good match for Toyota, reputed for innovation
and solid engineering but sometimes criticized as making dull cars.
Global automakers are forging such partnerships to become more competitive.
French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen
and General Motors Co. of the U.S. have a deal to share in purchases of
parts and services to cut costs. Toyota already has a joint venture with
Peugeot Citroen to make small cars in Europe.
Source;
http://www.therecord.com/news/business/article/874652--toyota-bmw-working-on-new-auto-battery-technology-sports-vehicle-fuel-cells-composites
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