Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation will be joining forces in the development of hybrid technology for light trucks and SUVs. The two manufacturers will also be co-developing advanced telematics and other on-board Internet services.
The announcement comes as corporate fuel-economy requirements are on the verge of doubling to an average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. The Obama administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) proposal will force automakers to revamp their line-ups with lighter, more fuel efficient models such as hybrids. Under the new policy, cars produced between the 2016 and 2025 model years will require a 5 percent increase in fuel economy. Full sized pick-ups produced from 2016 through 2019 will be exempt from this standard. After 2019, full sized pick-ups will have to meet a standard yet to be determined.
Automakers have struggled in the past to meet fuel economy standards for full sized trucks. Ford and Toyota’s collaboration is hoped to help ease these troubles while maintaining consumers’ demands.
Ford and Toyota will sign an official agreement next year and plan to release new hybrid systems on rear-wheel drive SUVs and light weight trucks later this decade.
Source: Automotive News
