Rumour: BMW and Toyota collaboration; BMW provides engines in return for Hybrid tech

[martinbo]

Source: BMW, Toyota plan engine link-up - Autocar.co.uk

Details have begun to emerge about a planned engine co-operation deal between BMW and Toyota.

Set to be made public at Tokyo motor show later this week, the co-operation is said to centre around the supply of four- and six-cylinder common rail diesel engines by BMW to Toyota for use in a wide range of models offered in Europe and other world markets.

In return, Toyota plans to provide BMW with hybrid technology used for combining combustion engines and electric motors.

A BMW spokesperson contacted by Autocar acknowledged talks between the two companies was ongoing but would not confirm an announcement or a co-operation was imminent.

 

[Human]

So, BMW will provide the expertise of the German manufacturers famous internal-combustion engines that in turn will give Toyota access to its IMHO best-in-class diesel engines for Toyota vehicles sold in Europe, where diesel currently accounts for about 50 percent of all new-vehicle sales. BMW i and the ongoing Efficient Dynamics programme will benefit from cost saving and expertise from Toyota. In short IMO the Germans (BMW) will benefit the most in total cost saving and engine volume output.

BMW knows how to save and make money.

 

[Deleted member 25]

This is a blow to their almighty new green image with the I brand, how can you claim being the leader in that front if you are buying the hybrid systems to another car maker (even though hybrid systems for i cars are not the ones for the regular cars)

 

[Giannis]

If I recall correctly, Toyota has the most efficient production line system of all car manufacturers, "right on time", right?

So, that's not entirely a bad idea for BMW.

 

[EnI]

When it comes to mechanical parts BMW has the know-how, and great engineers. That part is covered - mind the JV with PSA in this field: BMW developing hybrid systems, PSA producing them.

What BMW do lack is the electric power management expertise. That's why they snatched Volt / Ampera development chief Weber from GM / Opel. And that's why deal with Toyota sounds attractive. It's a win-win - Toyota getting BMW diesels, BMW Toyota's expertise on electric power management for hybrid & electric vehicles. Both companies benefit - saving time & money.

It's not hard to pair batteries with electro motor & some sort of gearbox.
The most difficult part is to control & steer the whole system via the most optimal software possible.

Mind the hybrids & EVs are much more about electronics than about mechanics!

Yet I do not expect BMW cars to feature Toyota / Lexus whole hybrid systems.

 

[Deckhook]

I would say BMW will benefit from Toyota's expertise as much as Toyota will benefit from BMW's. Smart move for both if it comes off.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

C'mon BMW fans. Start crying, creaming and carrying on that there will be Lexus vehicles with engines from your beloved BMW. BMW engines are the holy grail!

(I'm just taking a dig at Benz fans who were crying about MB selling engines to Nissan)

Is Toyota really that advanced in with vehicles? The Hybrids they have offered have been such poor al rounders. The engines seem fine, but the steering etc. leave much to be desired for the true car enthusiast.

 

[Centurion]

Is Toyota really that advanced in with vehicles?

Yes they are. The Prius has existed for close to 14 years. In that time span Toyota has perfected their electronic motors and circuit boards. Unlike the combustion engine, the electronic world is beleaguered with patents meaning that:

1. Many of the best technical solutions are protected.
2. To use the patented technologies you would either have to pay expensive license fees or outright buy tech companies holding the patents.
3. Or simply buy packaged solutions for someone's who's already done the hard work.

BMW are opting for option 3 since it's the most convenient one.

 

[Zafiro]

So does this mean we are going to see Toyota with the new triple turbo diesel from BMW, 381hp/+700nm?

 

[EnI]

Report: Toyota And BMW Partner For Advanced Lithium Battery Development

(Reuters) - German carmaker BMW and Japanese rival Toyota Motor are planning to cooperate on research into lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Tuesday.

It was also reported over the weekend that the two were in talks for a partnership on 'green' vehicles, with BMW set to provide the Japanese firm with diesel engines.

The two companies are expected to announce the cooperation at a joint press conference at 0700 GMT on Thursday in Tokyo, the source said.

BMW and Toyota both declined to comment.

Under Akio Toyoda, who became chief executive in mid-2009, Toyota has forged partnerships with a string of companies including Tesla, Microsoft, Salesforce.com and Ford Motor Co to co-develop hybrid trucks.

Senior sources at Toyota said they believed BMW was a good match as a partner, with corporate cultures that could work well together.

Toyota earlier on Tuesday unveiled a plug-in Prius hybrid car with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, touting it as the world's most practical green car.

A tie-up between Toyota and BMW comes at a time when rivals Nissan Motor Co, Renault SA and Daimler AG are working on various joint projects, sharing engines and other technologies to save on R&D costs that are ballooning with the need to meet stricter environmental regulations.

Since an electric car often costs twice as much to buy as a conventional car powered by a combustion engine, researchers are searching for a way to make the lithium-ion lighter and less expensive.

Toyota has said it was willing to share its hybrid technology with rivals and also has plans to supply Mazda Motor Corp. It is not new to working with other brands on engines either, co-developing many of its sports car engines with motorcycle maker Yamaha Motor, in which it has a small equity stake.

BMW shares were flat at 52.99 euros at 1105 GMT, Toyota closed up 1.9 percent.

BMW, Toyota to work on electric car batteries: source | Reuters

 

[klier]

So does this mean we are going to see Toyota with the new triple turbo diesel from BMW, 381hp/+700nm?

...In the new Yaris

 

[Human]

Official: BMW to supply diesel engines to Toyota

Automotive giants agree to Mid-to-long-term Research Collaboration in Environment-friendly Technologies

BMW and Toyota have officially announced today they have signed a memorandum of understanding for a research collaboration into next generation environmental friendly technologies, confirming rumours that we reported on earlier this week.
Additionally, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) will benefit from the supply of BMW's fuel efficient yet powerful 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines. The German automaker will begin supply in 2014.
Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, 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, President 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."

Read more: Official: BMW to supply diesel engines to Toyota

 

[Deckhook]

That's great news for the consumer, BMW jump to the top of the class in Hybrid technology and Toyota gains arguable the finest diesel engines around.

 

[klier]

So...Toyota gets the great diesel BMW engines, what what does BMW get other then money? Would have been nice to get some Hybrid tech or battery tech from Toyota, as they are the best with the most experience.

 

[Giannis]

You can see the official press release at press.bmwgroup.com guys!

Yeap, it's official

 

[Bartek S.]

Earlier this month, Toyota and BMW signed an agreement to share engines and hybrid technology to spread the cost of developing low emission vehicles. Under the new deal, BMW will supply Toyota with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engines starting from 2014.

At the time, many were wondering if Toyota's premium brand Lexus, which competes with BMW, would also receive diesel engines from the Bavarian firm. As it turns out, the answer is no.

''The agreement with BMW does not include any supply of BMW engines to Lexus,'' Toyota Europe representative Etienne Plas told Autonews Europe.

Asked by German business publication WirtschaftsWoche if the technology tie-up with the Toyota Group would give Lexus an advantage, BMW's development chief Klaus Draeger said that this won't happen as the diesel engines "are not planned for use in the Lexus brand".

car scoop

 

[SCOTT27]

There is another bonus for BMW in the shape of the next generation platform for the IQ/City cars A tie up between Toyota and PSA for their small city models could also bring BMW into the fold with a ready made platform architecture for the forthcoming production MINI Rocketman City Car. Of course BMW would tend to the MINI's dynamics to make it , well like a MINI.

 

[Human]

Lexus won't get BMW diesels as result of partnership

BMW's partnership with Toyota includes supplying 1.6- and 2.0-liter diesel engines, but don't look for them to start showing up in Lexus models.
According to Toyota spokesman Etienne Plas, ''The agreement with BMW does not include any supply of BMW engines to Lexus." This is a bit disappointing because the brand's diesel lineup is fairly limited, but the company will focus on launching models with hybrid technology.
It remains unclear if this is a wise move, but Lexus is a niche player in Europe and sales have only totaled 24,623 units through the first eleven months of the year.
Source: Automotive News