Ford and Toyota Join Forces on Hybrid Engine for Trucks and SUVs

A chance meeting between top executives of Ford and Toyota in an airport lobby has led to a partnership to jointly develop a gas-electric hybrid engine for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The companies aim to make the technology more affordable for customers and bring it to market faster, while meeting more stringent fuel economy and pollution standards. The deal will also help keep larger vehicles viable if gas prices continue to rise.

Key Takeaways:

Ford and Toyota will share development costs for a gas-electric hybrid engine for pickup trucks and SUVs.
The technology is expected to help the companies meet more stringent fuel economy and pollution standards, particularly in the US.
The companies are targeting pickup trucks, with Ford's F-series being the top-selling vehicle in the US and Toyota's Tundra trying to break into the full-sized pickup market.
The hybrid trucks will have lower mileage targets than cars, but will still need to improve to meet the US fuel economy standards.
Ford expects that 10 to 20 per cent of its vehicles will have hybrid or electric powertrains by 2020.
The partnership aims to bring the technology to market faster and make it more affordable for customers.
The companies will adapt the system to meet the unique needs of each brand, with Ford's trucks continuing to have features that make them uniquely a Ford product.

Statistics:

The US fuel economy standards require new vehicles to average 56.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
Trucks will have lower mileage targets, but must still improve to meet the US fuel economy standards.
Ford's F-series pickup is the top-selling vehicle in the US.
Toyota's Tundra is trying to break into the full-sized pickup market.
Ford expects that 10 to 20 per cent of its vehicles will have hybrid or electric powertrains by 2020 is not mentioned as a definitive goal.

Sources:

Tom Krisher, Associated Press