YES, IT IS SO. BMW AND TOYOTA ARE COLLABORATING

It’s no longer a rumour. BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies. 

Under the MOU, the two companies agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies (not sure where this places Toyota’s relationship with electric car specialist Tesla). Furthermore, they have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects. Principally we speculate at hybrid technology, in which Toyota leads. Furthermore we could see something very exciting in the form of a sports car powered by a common turbo engine.

In addition, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC’s European subsidiary, and BMW Group have entered into a contract under which BMW Group 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 line-up and sales of fuel-efficient, low CO2-emission diesel-powered vehicles. 

Marking the announcement, Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: “Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments. 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.” 

Representing TMC, President Akio Toyoda said: “It is a great joy and a thrill to enter into this mid-to-long-term collaborative relationship with BMW, a company with its own culture and history from its many years of car manufacturing in Europe, and a company that makes cars that are fun to drive. 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.”