There Goes The DNA? BMW's Upcoming i5 To Use Toyota Powertrain

BMW is set to employ a revised version of the hydrogen-electric fuel cell system used in the Toyota FCV in a future i-brand model, possibly to be badged i5.

Company sources say the race is on between the German car makers to get a hydrogen fuel cell car on the market, now that Japanese companies Honda and Toyota have taken the initiative.

The powertrain sharing is the first stage of a BMW-Toyota joint venture aimed at lowering development costs and providing improved economies of scale on advanced alternative drive systems shared between the two manufacturers. A second project, to build a rear-drive sports car platform, is also said to be well under way.
 

GermanNut - 11/17/2014 3:38:09 PM

+1 Boost

Welcome to the world of economies of scale. If BMW wants to survive and stay ahead of Audi in terms of sales, it must collaborate with other brands.

MDarringer - 11/17/2014 7:30:18 PM

+1 Boost

In the USA Audi is so far behind the sales of Mercedes and BMW it's laughable.

MDarringer - 11/17/2014 7:32:49 PM

0 Boost

A Toyota-BMW merger / tie up would be a genius move. Kill Scion. Toyota is entry-level/mass market. Lexus is near-premium at heart. BMW is premium at heart.

david999 - 11/18/2014 11:14:36 AM

+1 Boost

It will be only a matter of time a full Toyota/BMW merger. Good news for the consumer.

GermanNut - 11/18/2014 2:52:51 PM

0 Boost

In China BMW and Mercedes-Benz are so far behind Audi's sales it's laughable.