Two of the world leaders in hybrid technology for the auto industry—the Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation—have announced they are joining forces to develop an advanced hybrid propulsion system for the next generation of light trucks and SUVs. According to Boston Toyota Dealers, The two automakers will work as equal partners in this important effort, with the new system is expected to debut before the end of the decade.
“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.”
The new hybrid initiative builds on earlier, independent research from both companies, and will be aimed specifically at rear-wheel-drive applications. But Lexington Toyota notes that, although the hybrid system is being built collaboratively, the current memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two automakers calls for Ford and Toyota to “independently integrate the new hybrid system in their future vehicles separately”—in other words, don’t expect the vehicles themselves to share much more than the system itself.
“Toyota is extremely proud to join Ford in developing a hybrid system for pickup trucks and SUVs,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda. “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.”
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