Reports suggest the two are discussing hybrid technology rather intently.
It appears that Japanese automotive juggernauts Toyota are in talks with Chinese automotive multinational Geely to perhaps foster cooperation between the two companies, relating rather specifically to hybrid powertrains and their related technologies. Sources confirmed that they were in discussions with Geely and gave an idea of what those talks were circling round, though further deductions have been made.
Officials from Toyota were the ones who confirmed the discussions to Reuters, saying that all talks were being conducted in line with its “open policy,” and focused on “the area of electrification technologies” and matters closely related to it. Other sources chimed in to clarify that the discussions were brought about due to a Chinese battery supplier that services both Geely and Toyota; Additionally, Chinese media reports are abuzz saying that an announcement will be made on the matter in due course.
While Geely’s made huge strides in terms of electrified powertrain technology for the brands under its umbrella, Toyota remains the global sales leader of petrol-electric hybrid vehicles. In China, Toyota’s two manufacturing partners means that it’s been able to offer two mid-size hybrid family saloons in one market, in addition to other models with hybrid variants.
The sales of petrol-electric hybrids have been on the rise since Beijing announced it was taking (relatively) extreme measures to crack down on exhaust pollution, resulting in Toyota increasing the capacity of its Chinese factories by some 20%, and expanding its sales network in the Middle Kingdom.
Geely on the other hand has begun rolling out its latest generation of cars, headlined by the Bo Rui large saloon, Bin Rui compact saloon, and SX11 compact SUV, all of which either offer electrified (hybrid or plug-in hybrid) powertrains from the get-go, or will do so in the near future. But with Toyota & Geely taking rather different approaches to the petrol-electric hybrid setup (the former preferring more traditional parallel-hybrid setups and the latter more innovative, forced-induction-and-plug-in combinations), it’ll be interesting to see just what the two companies intend to trade with each other, and how each firm will learn from the technological & engineering innovations of the other.
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