Photo : D.R. - Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and BMW continue to work together, and have signed agreements for the joint development of a fuel cell system, the architecture and components destined for a sports vehicle.

The two manufacturers will share their technologies and develop the foundations for a fuel cell vehicle comprising not only the cell itself and the system, but also the hydrogen tank, the electric motor and battery with a projected completion in 2020. The two companies together will evaluate the development of infrastructure for hydrogen and work together in defining the rules and standards for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles. TMC and BMW will also launch a feasibility study, which will be completed in late 2013, to define a concept for a common platform for a sporty medium size vehicle. BMW Group and TMC in December 2011 formed the first long-term partnership for the development of the next generation of vehicles and green technologies. At that time, the two companies also signed a contract for the supply of a high performance diesel engine by BMW to Toyota Motor Corporation Europe.

Akio Toyoda (president of Toyota Motor Corporation): "Just over a year, we signed our protocol for collaboration and as our relationship grew stronger, we felt undeniable progress. Today, we are entering a phase full of promise. While focusing on what is learned from joint development, we will work tirelessly to achieve our common goal: to produce ever better vehicles.”

Norbert Reithofer (CEO of BMW AG): "TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable future for mobility. Given the technological changes that await us, the entire automotive industry is facing significant challenges. This collaboration is an important step to keep our two companies on a path synonymous with success in the future.”

Note that the GreenGT H2, that will occupy the 56th pit (dedicated to new technology cars running outside classifiaction) on the 22nd and 23rd of June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will use a Hydrogen fuel cell.

Jean-Philippe Doret
(From Toyota France press information)

Photo : OYAMA-CHO (SHINOZUKA, JAPAN), FUJI SPEEDWAY, 6 HOURS OF FUJI, FINISH, 14th OCT 2012. In addition to these new partnership agreements with BMW, Toyota defended its reputation as leading manufacturer of hybrid vehicles in the FIA World Endurance Championship with three wins in 2012, including a home win at Fuji.