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BMW and Toyota Ink Deal to Partner on Fuel Cell, Sports Car, Lightweight Technology

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BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation Deepen Collaboration by Signing Binding Agreements

Fuel Cell System, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery Collaboration to Commence

Munich, Germany - January 24, 2013... BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility today by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012.

Furthermore, BMW Group and TMC also today signed a binding agreement to commence collaborative research on lithium-air batteries, a post-lithium-battery solution. This agreement marks the second phase of collaborative research into next-generation lithium-ion battery cells that commenced in March 2012.

The main points of the agreements are:

1. Fuel cell system
- The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020.

- The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles.

2. Sports vehicle
- The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

3. Lightweight technology
The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles.

4. Post-lithium-battery technology
The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said: “TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility. In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity. This collaboration is an important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future.”

Akio Toyoda, President of TMC said: “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars.”

BMW Group and TMC first agreed to form a medium-to-long-term collaborative relationship for developing next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies in December 2011, at which time the two companies also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe. BMW Group and TMC - as long-term strategic partners - have since continued their joint efforts to realize sustainable mobility for the future.

[ManiacGT]

A good reason not to invest in limited range electric battery cars if you ask me... seems battery cars will go the way of betamax if interchangeable fuel cells are the norm..

[limerockpark1of50]

What's this for?

[thurston]

Exciting stuff. Can't believe they're expected to roll out a concept at the end of this year already.

[bimmer Don]

The key here that I like is it said a sport type car by the end of 2013. The last time we saw Toyota. Join someone with a sport coupe we got the brz/ fr-s. maybe this new car turns out to be a new supra/ new 2 door sports car for BMW. The inline 6 turbo motor BMW had would be the perfect motor to put in a Supra. That would make it a turbo 6 just like the old one . Can any one say n55 turbo hybrid. Toyota sports car

[SCOTT26]

Mid-sized sports car under the BMWi brand.

[W///]

Waiting for the fanboys to barge in and yell heresy. I think this is a great move to team up with Toyota on those areas. Can't go wrong when 2 really innovative companies work together.

[bimmer Don]

In the post it doesn't say it going to be a electric car just a sports car using high technology

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

A good reason not to invest in limited range electric battery cars if you ask me... seems battery cars will go the way of betamax if interchangeable fuel cells are the norm..

That's going to depend on what the fuel cells use to generate electricity. A hydrocarbon based fuel source may not alleviate our oil dependence.

[ORIGIN M.]

Wow man how crazy is this.

A mid sized hybrid sports car sounds awesome.

[tmurphy2]

BMW is really pursuing alternative fuel sources and fuel effciency WAY MORE aggressivly than their competitors, i think they are banking on the future where some stern government regulation comes down and these guys (audi, mercedes) just wont be able to compete.

future of sports cars looks bleak but it seems as though BMW will be around to sustain the hit.

[strati1]

Sounds like good business, now we wait

[BMW269]

That is good news for my currently two most favorite car companies. The Supra is definitely coming so as the M sportscar.

[DASHOCKER]

the return of the supra sounds feasable now with an available inline 6 from bmw.

[Itgb]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Mid-sized sports car under the BMWi brand.

Isn't that what the i8 is?

[sonicbimmer19]

Feasibility study for a sports car is to be done in 2013, folks. Just a study.
I think this is good news, we'll probably see a sports car under BMW i brand or a revolutionary roadster lol

[bnombe]

Interesting to note Toyota part of the logos banner didn't have Lexus nor Scion while BMW side is a full house lol

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Mid-sized sports car under the BMWi brand.

Did you just use "BMWi brand" and "sports car" in the same sentence?

With the Subaru/Toyota venture, we got the revived 86. Now let's bring back the Supra!

[aajami]

"Sports car". We'll see about that.

[bimmerjph]

Ugh.... Mid sized sports car

I was hoping for something more like the FR-S.

[Leica]

Last time the two nations signed a pact was 1941

[TheBingoBalls]

An agreement like this needed to be done. The market is too competitive for BMW to do it alone so it's come to a point where BMW had to partner with someone. Audi's recent models are extremely impressive and looks like being under VW is finally starting to payoff.