Ford, Toyota reach agreement to build a hybrid system for light trucks

An agreement has been reached between Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. for the joint development of hybrid technology for light trucks. The next step after the memorandum of understanding is inked would be the signing of the formal deal next year. The rear-wheel drive SUVs of Ford and Toyota will receive the new hybrid system first. It will be used on light trucks later in the decade. Ford and Toyota will also be collaborating to develop next-generation telematics and other in-vehicle Internet-based services.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's vice president of product development, said that the two global leaders’ capabilities will be brought together to “develop a better solution more quickly,” a move that will also make the system more affordable to its customers. Kuzak reveals that the work will be done at the research facilities of the two companies in various countries. He said that so far, these are the only cooperation plans and there are no current plans for the cooperation to deepen. The financial details were not revealed and the specific models that are covered by the cooperation were also not identified.

According to Takeshi Uchiyamada, a Toyota executive vice president, the automaker will be even more competitive in the production of “great cars.” He said that Toyota anticipates the creation of “exciting and socially beneficial technologies” with Ford, a goal that he believes could be achieved based on the experience of the two companies. He said that with these capabilities, Ford and Toyota will be able to come up with a “synergy effect in hybrid technology and in telematics.”[via : 4wheelsnews]