BMW and Toyota: narrower Collaboration
Boot collaboration on a fuel cell system, a sport vehicle, technologies weight reduction and a lithium-air battery
BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have now pledged to continue their successful long-term strategic cooperation on mobility to ensure a proper signing binding agreements for the joint development of a fuel cell system and a architecture and components of vehicle sport, even an agreement on research and development of technologies for weight reduction. These agreements follow a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2012.
In addition, BMW Group and TMC have also today signed an agreement that will launch a cooperative research on lithium-air, an evolution of the technology of lithium batteries. This agreement marks the second phase of a cooperative research effort on the elements of lithium-ion batteries next generation which began in March 2012.
Here are the main elements of the new arrangements:
Fuel cell system
Both companies are convinced that the fuel cell technology is one of the solutions that will achieve a zero emission rates. BMW Group and TMC share their technologies and jointly shall develop a vehicle has fuel cell, which includes, in addition to the battery itself, a hydrogen tank, a motor and a battery, with the aim of completing the vehicle in 2020 .
Both companies must collaborate in an assessment for the development of an infrastructure of hydrogen distribution and the creation of codes and standards necessary to the popularization of fuel cell vehicles has.
Vehicle Sport
The companies have undertaken to develop a feasibility study aimed at defining a concept of joint platform vehicle sport intermediate size; this study should be completed by the end of 2013. Their aim pooling their technologies and knowledge at a high level in order to maximize customer satisfaction. Both companies want to achieve a shared vision that allows them to collaborate in the development of vehicles sport.
Weight reduction technologies
The companies have undertaken to jointly develop technology for body weight reduction of vehicles, such as composite materials reinforced, in a context of development cooperation joint platform vehicle sport even in view of the development of other vehicles BMW and TMC.
Post batteries lithium technology
The companies have undertaken to undertake joint research with the aim of developing a lithium-air battery energy density which far exceed that of lithium-ion batteries.
In the words of Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG: "BMW Group and TMC share the same strategic vision of the future of mobility to ensure a proper. Given the technological changes that are coming, the automotive industry as a whole is facing enormous challenges, which we also consider to be a great opportunity. Our new collaboration is the cornerstone on which we build our success has come. "
Akio Toyoda, president of TMC, said: "There is only a little over a year since we signed our MOU, and each day our relationship strengthens we perceive that we any evidence of tangible progress. We are now entering the phase that promises to be bearing fruit. While giving the importance that our joint development activities teach us, we will work hard together to achieve our common goal, to make cars that are constantly improving. "
BMW Group and TMC were first agreed in December 2011 to enter into a cooperative relationship has long average duration for developing vehicles and eco-friendly technologies to next generation; at that time, the two companies have also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to provide highly efficient diesel engines Toyota Motor Europe. BMW Group and TMC? has as partners
