Toyota and Ford are teaming up?what? We know, we were very surprised too. But, considering the two market giants have such highly-varied, complementary expertise and one common goal - to develop a rear-wheel drive hybrid system - the venture actually makes a lot of sense. While Japanese automaker Toyota brings to the table roughly 10 years of experience working with hybrid technology, the Blue Oval offers vast knowledge of the Pickup and SUV segments.

Toyota and the Blue Oval have already signed a memorandum of understanding, signifying plans to share their respective expertise and cooperatively build a new hybrid powertrain, especially for light trucks and SUVs. An official agreement is expected to follow next year. Both parties expect the partnership to significantly shorten the time it will take to move the new hybrid technology from development to production to market.

The goal for Toyota and Ford is to make hybrid technology available to a wider variety of automobiles, mainly SUV's and trucks. "Those kinds of models are indispensable to American customers. And providing them with our hybrid technology will help conserve energy and reduce output of greenhouse gas here in the United States. That was our thinking in considering the collaboration," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota's executive vice president for research and development. ¹

Adding to the potential surprise of Toyota and Ford's joint venture is  the fact the project represents just one of two efforts it shares with the Blue Oval. The second is the co-development of next-gen standards for in-car telematics and Internet-based services.

Interested in learning more about either of these two collaborations and other leading-edge Toyota news? Stay tuned. Tri-State Toyota, located at 191 West Main Street Dudley, MA 01571 is dedicated to keeping you informed.

Source: ¹ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44227703/ns/business-going_green/#.TlKp1mHK2W4