Breaking News: Ford and Toyota Team on Hybrid System

[TrainTrac]

All I'll say to this is: Discuss... :banana:

Breaking News: Ford and Toyota Team on Hybrid System



August 22nd, 2011



You might think that automakers always have one another in the crosshairs. But it turns out there can be opportunities for collaboration, especially when it comes to advanced technology and bringing it to the public sooner and more affordably than one automaker could do alone. Case in point? Ford and Toyota, the two leading manufacturers of hybrid vehicles, have announced they will jointly develop a hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.



The two will bring the best of their independently developed hybrid powertrain technology and knowledge to a new co-developed hybrid system, which they plan on using in rear-wheel-drive light trucks. Ford and Toyota have been working separately on similar new rear-wheel-drive hybrid systems aimed at delivering higher fuel economy in light trucks and SUVs. When the two companies began discussing this potential collaboration, they discovered how quickly they were able to find common ground.



While the rear-wheel-drive hybrid system will share significant common technology and components, Ford and Toyota will individually integrate the system into their own vehicles. Each company also will determine the calibration and performance dynamics characteristics of their respective light pickups and SUVs.



This is the kind of collaborative effort that is required to address the big global challenges of energy independence and environmental sustainability, said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally.



In addition, as telematics plays an increasingly more important role in the in-car experience, both companies have also 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.



We have unique and very good solutions today with SYNC and MyFord Touch. Working together on in-vehicle standards can only enhance our customers experience with their vehicles, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development.

 

[EddieS'04]

When the two companies began discussing this potential collaboration, they discovered how quickly they were able to find common ground.

I heard something about this last month.

I would guess they discovered their R&D was on the same track. 2 heads are better than one.

 

[Gavin Allan]

That is nice for Ford to help Toyota. This must be something like Corporate Charity or such.

 

[gary s]

"That is nice for Ford to help Toyota"



who is the master of hybrid tech ???????? :grin:

 

[TrainTrac]

Gary,



I figured you and Caymen were the team leaders on this project! :cheeky:

 

[EddieS'04]

who is the master of hybrid tech ????????

Ford is,,,toy was just first to market. As many things since the '60s.



Remember we rebuilt their factories in the '50s better than ours. They have always had better coporate spys. Remember their pacifist ambasadors in washington. The hour before, Tora-Tora-Tora. Sneaky!

 

[gary s]

good one traintrac :bwahaha:

i would be more then glad to head up this project with tom :argue::banghead::haveabeer:



eddie,

"Ford is,,,"

i would look into that response. :grin: