Toyota Discovers It Has To Partner With Other Companies To Make A Better Product

Tradition-bound Toyota is starting to shake it up.

For decades, the Japanese automaking giant has preferred to go it alone, eschewing alliances with other automakers. But Bloomberg News points out that CEO Akio Toyoda is starting to make that change.

Toyoda agreed this month to equip some Toyota cars with BMW diesel engines. It wants to use battery packs from Tesla Motors in some of its electric cars. And remember that both Toyota and Subaru unveiled their own versions of the same car, the Scion FR-S sports car.

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Bill - 12/16/2011 8:31:03 PM

+1 Boost

This is something that's going to affect the entire auto industry from now on.

Pooling together resources and engineering talents leads to better cars for everyone.

dlin - 12/16/2011 10:51:36 PM

+8 Boost

Another stupid title.

mpls - 12/17/2011 5:18:25 AM

+8 Boost

They only want the BMW 2 litre diesel, in return BMW will get some Hybrid tech... So where is the article about BMW needing to partner to get the best Hybrid tech !!??

JUGNU - 12/17/2011 7:56:09 AM

+5 Boost

Actually Toyota do not want to develop diesels as all of their focuses are on future powertrains like Hybrids and EVs. But CURRENTLY there is a market for diesels so Toyota did the smarter and quicker way and contacted the Germans who have got the most developed and advanced diesel engines.

Similar story with the other side. Germans have extensively developed diesels for years but are behind in hybrid and full electric technology. But now there is significant market(and will continue to increase) for hybrids and EVs so they have contacted the Japanese.

Toyota--BMW
Nissan/Renault--Mercedes
VW is huge and consist of so many subsidiaries so maybe don't need partners.

Maulvader - 12/17/2011 10:47:53 AM

+3 Boost

More accurate headlines:

"Toyota Partners With Other Companies To Make A DIFFERENT Product"

OR

"Toyota Partners With Other Companies To Make A Product not in its current lineup"

Joe_Limon - 12/17/2011 12:41:05 PM

-1 Boost

Toyota partners with companies all the time to do stuff outside their expertise. A couple examples.

Pontiac Vibe/Matrix
Lexus LFA/Yamaha engine tuning.

85bmw745i - 12/17/2011 11:36:22 PM

+3 Boost

Don't forget how much of Toyotas hybrid technology was borrowed by Ford. Thats why only Ford has a serious camry hybrid competitor.

Joe_Limon - 12/20/2011 12:21:52 PM

-2 Boost

Not enough apparently! haha the vibe was subject to the massive pedal recalls.

Joe_Limon - 12/20/2011 12:53:28 PM

-2 Boost

Can you link to me the last thread I mentioned it? I'm calling bs on your claim.

jtz7 - 12/17/2011 12:54:13 PM

0 Boost

Toyota shouldn't need any partners. It's the best manufacturer in the world. Ain't that right huu76?

85bmw745i - 12/17/2011 11:38:33 PM

+1 Boost

No mainstream automakers make their own electronics, and only a couple like GM and Mercedes make their own transmissions. Thats why we have companies like ZF, Borg Warner and Tremec to make Transmissions for many manufacturers.

800over - 12/19/2011 2:09:18 PM

+5 Boost

and Douchey.