The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. is discussing a broad partnership with BMW AG, including procuring diesel engines. In August, Toyota announced a partnership with Ford to develop rear-wheel drive hybrid system for light trucks, among other technologies.
Under the proposed arrangement, BMW will provide diesel engines for Toyota’s passenger vehicles sold in Europe, most likely 2-liter versions for midsize cars. The start date and scale have yet to be decided. Toyota had hoped to expand its market share in Europe mainly with its hybrids, but it has struggled in a region where roughly 60% of passenger cars are powered by diesel engines. Its European sales fell by 9% to about 810,000 units in 2010, and it holds only a 4% share of the market.
...Meanwhile, BMW will be able to leverage the benefits of scale for diesel engines. The move is also seen helping the German automaker improve the competitiveness of its green vehicles. Having inked a deal in fall 2010 to jointly develop hybrid systems for subcompacts with France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen Group, it will be able to expand its lineup by working with Toyota.
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