Ford, Toyota join efforts for hybrid drivetrain system

August 23, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. said they will work together to develop an advanced hybrid drivetrain system for light trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

The move represented a strategy by both companies to improve fuel economy in larger vehicles long before stricter federal fuel economy rules take effect with the 2017 model year, said Brian Johnson, an analyst with Barclays Capital.

The new standards are expected to provide extra credits toward meeting fuel-efficiency targets for companies that develop hybrid gas-and-electric drivetrains for pickup trucks.

Johnson noted that General Motors Co. had already experimented with hybrids on light trucks and large SUVs and has developed electric boosts, or “mild” hybrids, in some Buick sedans.

Ford and Toyota have worked independently on rear-wheel-drive hybrid systems. The hybrid powertrain will bring greater fuel efficiency to new trucks and SUVs without compromising the capability drivers require in their vehicles, Ford said.

“This agreement brings together the capability of two global leaders in hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology to develop a better solution more quickly and affordably for our customers,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of global product development.

Since launching the Prius in Japan in 1997, Toyota has sold 3.3 million hybrid vehicles, said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota executive vice president for research and development. “We expect to create exciting technologies that benefit society with Ford — and we can do so through the experience the two companies have in hybrid technology.”