Is Toyota's Move To Collaborate With Other Automakers A Sign Of Weakness Or Strength?

Toyota Motor Corp. has a tradition of self-reliance. Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda is beginning to change that.

Toyoda agreed this month to equip some Toyota cars with Bayerische Motoren Werke AG diesel engines, building on an earlier deal to use Tesla Motors Inc. battery packs in future electric vehicles. Before the grandson of the founder became president, Toyota had not purchased such core technologies from other carmakers, said Shiori Hashimoto, a spokeswoman at the Toyota City-based carmaker.

 

Willis - 12/29/2011 10:10:26 AM

+6 Boost

Nice flame bait title.

In this case, BMW has something that Toyota wants, Toyota has something that BMW wants. Let's make a deal. Period.

Agent009 - 12/29/2011 10:42:25 AM

-3 Boost

Actually Toyota has always maintained the can always do it better in house. That is what got them in trouble in the first place. They actually believed it.

enthusiastx11 - 1/3/2012 12:35:18 PM

-3 Boost

you are correct: toyota wants BMW's fantastic diesel engines. and BMW wants some of the cash they made selling appliances.

Brembo - 12/29/2011 5:49:32 PM

+4 Boost

In term of 009's logic, BMW is just as weak as Toyota since they've joined forces. Also, so are the rest of the world car manufacturers who have a co-venture in seeking innovation. Maybe VW, Porsche, and Audi are the weakest since they've joined with themselves a long with Lamborghini. Great rationale!

So confusing!