BWM and Toyota today announcing that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for a research collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.
Toyota Motor Europe will receive from BMW Group 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter diesel engines starting in 2014. In addition, the two carmakers will collaborate on the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer 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 system."
Toyota CEO 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."