Ford, Toyota to Collaborate on Developing Hybrid System for Light Trucks, SUVs

Ford, Toyota to Collaborate on Developing Hybrid System for Light Trucks, SUVs

Dearborn, MI (August 22, 2011) -- Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. today announced they will collaborate as equal partners on development of an advanced new hybrid system for light trucks and sport utility vehicles. The companies expect to have a new co-developed hybrid system ready for use later this decade on Ford and Toyota rear-wheel-drive light trucks and SUVs, delivering greater fuel efficiency while still providing customers the capability they want and need.

Ford and Toyota have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the product development collaboration, with the formal agreement expected by next year.

Both companies have been working independently on their own future-generation rear-wheel drive hybrid systems, and they believe collaboration will allow them to bring these hybrid technologies to customers sooner and more affordably than either company could have accomplished alone.

The MOU specifies that the two companies will:

  • Jointly develop as equal partners a new rear-wheel drive hybrid system and component technology for light trucks and SUVs
  • Independently integrate the new hybrid system in their future vehicles separately. Each company will also determine the calibration and performance characteristics of their respective light pickups and SUVs

“By working together, we will be able to serve our customers with the very best affordable, advanced powertrains, delivering even better fuel economy,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. “This is the kind of collaborative effort that is required to address the big global challenges of energy independence and environmental sustainability.”

Toyota President Akio Toyoda added: “Toyota is extremely proud to join Ford in developing a hybrid system for pickup trucks and SUVs. Not only is this tie-up clearly one aimed at making automobiles ever better, it should also become an important building block for future mobility in the U.S. By building a global, long-term relationship with Ford, our desire is to be able to continue to provide people in America automobiles that exceed their expectations.”

In addition, as telematics plays an increasingly more important role in the in-car experience, both companies have agreed to collaborate on standards and technologies needed to enable a safer, more secure and more convenient in-car experience for next-generation telematics systems. The telematics collaboration relates only to standards and technologies, and each company will continue to separately develop their own in-vehicle products and features.

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