Toyota and Geely May Enter Hybrid Tech Partnership

Sean Szymkowski
by Sean Szymkowski

Japanese automaker Toyota may soon partner with Chinese automaker Geely to work on and share hybrid technology.

Reuters reported Thursday that talks surround gasoline-electric hybrid technology. Both Geely and Toyota have reportedly worked with the Chinese battery supplier in the past as well, though separately. It’s unclear what specific aspects surrounding the technology the potential partnership could include.

Toyota confirmed it is communicating with Geely over “electrification technologies” but declined to provide specifics.

“Toyota has been conducting the business with the open policy which also applies to the area of electrification technologies. The relationship with Geely (Toyota is exploring) is also based on this open policy,” the statement to Reuters said.

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A local Chinese report claims Toyota and Geely are currently working on conventional hybrid technology and details on a partnership would be announced in the near future. Geely did not comment on the potential cooperation.

The potential for a partnership comes as Toyota ramps up its efforts to embrace electrification after focusing heavily on hydrogen fuel cells in the past. The Japanese automaker is also pursuing a larger market share in China, which is the world’s largest auto market.

[Source: Reuters]

A version of this story originally appeared on Hybrid Cars.

Sean Szymkowski
Sean Szymkowski

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