Toyota, GM to Extend Partnership in Development of Cutting-Edge Technology

Washington DC February 22, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that Toyota and General Motors are discussing future plans for joint research and development before their current contract expires at the end of March.

According to a report this morning from The Asahi Shimbun, the two automakers plan to stop joint research on fuel-cell car development, but do plan to extend their partnership in the development of cutting-edge technology after the current contract expires.

The automakers have worked together in research and development of fuel-cell technology under a two year project beginning in April 2004. According to Marketwatch, major car makers are eyeing fuel-cell technology as they believe fuel-cell vehicles are the most promising pollution-free vehicles of the future.

Fuel-cell cars are powered by electricity generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and emit only water as a byproduct.