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Toyota, BMW commence technology partnership

By David Zalstein |
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Toyota and BMW have officially begun a joint research venture to develop the next generation of lithium-ion batteries for future hybrid and electric vehicles.

The two companies yesterday signed an agreement based on the memorandum of understanding that was announced at the Tokyo motor show in December 2011.

The project focuses on improving technologies for next-generation batteries to power cleaner hybrid vehicles for both brands, with the aim to increase performance and capacity of lithium-ion batteries through new combinations of materials for cathodes, anodes and electrolytes.

The agreement will also see BMW supply Toyota’s European division with efficient 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines starting from 2014. Toyota Australia told CarAdvice late last year it would import BMW diesel-powered vehicles like the Corolla and Camry to Australia if they were made available to our market.

The partnership is seemingly a win-win for both manufacturers; BMW teams up with the biggest producer of hybrid vehicles to further its battery know-how and Toyota, Asia’s largest carmaker, gains a new line-up of diesel-powered vehicles to broaden its appeal throughout Europe.

  • Des

    Quite a fitting pairing, considering the level of recalls both suffer from.

    • Sydlocal

      Do you mean the single (1) BMW recall since the start of 2010 compared to the 15, 12 and 8 recalls of brands like Holden, Ford and Mitsubishi respectively? As a comparison, other brands like Mazda and Subaru have had 4 each over the same period.
      For the record, Toyota has had 15 since the start of 2010 so they fit right in with the other two Australian manufacturers. Maybe they can sign an agreement with them?
      Going by your line of thinking, BMW would have been better pairing up with Hyundai as they have had a similar amount of recalls. (1 and 2 for BMW and Hyundai respectively since the start of 2010) This information is easy to obtain and is on the official Government recalls website…

      I guess we can’t let facts get in the way of a good story can we now…

      • Des

        You need to look beyond Aus to get the bigger picture. Besides BMW are quite good at “technical campaigns” to avoid the recall stigma – doesn’t change the facts, just the reporting. And 1.3 MILLION cars is not just a minor issue.

        Anyway, chill out – clearly it was just a light hearted dig. Seems that if you don’t suffix everything with “LOL” half the population aren’t clever enough to “get” it.

        • Sydlocal

          ;-)

  • Bachman Turner Overdrive

    Oh no there goes Toyota’s reliability… I know we will use overly complicated German engineering that is not designed to be reliable long term. Hopefully, a bit of Toyota rubs off on the Germans and they focus on reliability and running costs rather than hellishly complex engineering that is clever but a pain to own.

  • marc

    pain to own is the best expression i ever heard – great write up Bachman

    • Bachman Turner Overdrive

      You are welcome Marc

  • gt86.com.au

    get a room you two ;)

  • Guest11

    Toyota don’t any technology from BMW. This is just to draw the BMW fanbois to Toyota.

  • Infinitebongani

    This is all the same it takes us to the same destination 

  • Sammuel

    how about you cut ur budget and you will have no loses?!?

  • H2Owesum

    ……. and has any one thought of harnessing the power of lightning as the main power source for all hybrids and electronic vehicals, 100 years ago it was inpossible for a man to walk on the moon, 100 years ago it was only a dream for vehicals to work… my point is we can do anything if we put our brilliant minds together