Toyota and BMW To Go Even Further

By Logan Utsman on Saturday, June 30th, 2012

Back in March, Toyota Motor Company and BMW Group entered an agreement to research and develop a new generation of lithium-ion battery cells as well as new, conventional technologies. Recently, that connection was further strengthened as both companies signed a memorandum of understanding for a long-term collaboration. In addition to BMW powered Toyotas and vice versa, the most recent agreement will aim to accomplish four all-new goals and do so rather soon.

“Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation,’ said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. Listed on the memorandum of understanding is a planned strategic collaboration split into four fields. The first is the joint development of a fuel cell system with architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint development of lightweight technologies to follow soon after.

Perhaps the most interesting news is the bit about a “future sports vehicle”. Toyota has been out of the performance car game for ages until recently as vehicles such as the Scion FR-S are starting to bring back the “spunk”. The venture with BMW will give birth to yet another sporting Toyota but what it will be based on is still up to time to reveal. “I believe BMW’s strength is developing sports cars. I get so excited thinking about the cars that will result from this relationship,” said Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation.