Toyota and Ford to collaborate on hybrid SUVs

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Carmakers Toyota and Ford have agreed to collaborate a new hybrid system for SUVs and light trucks.

The two said they will work as equal partners under a memorandum of understanding they have signed.

They will jointly develop a rear-wheel drive powertrain to be available later this decade, which they will then each install in their own separate vehicles.

>

"This agreement brings together the capability of two global leaders in hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology to develop a better solution more quickly and affordably," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of product development.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14626940

[NYC_SKP]

1. I suppose this is better than an ICE SUV, but it really misses the point.

That SUVs are a stupid, wasteful, indulgent 'idea', one of excess and of fashion but not of sensibility.

Where I live one often sees them lined up at a signal light: Yukon stopped behind a Sequoia, behind a Suburban, behind a Expedition, etc.

All with one tiny driver inside.

Beyond fucking stupid.

x(

[dipsydoodle]

2. It would seem to me,

as an outside observer, that the issue in the US is due to SUVs being treated as trucks instead of cars and so coming under a different set of rules. Is that correct ?

[NYC_SKP]

22. That is correct. Classification as light trucks allowed them to bypass CAFE standards.

And then there's the hype about safety, and everyone wanting bigger so they could see over and around the other SUVs and feel safer in their presence.

Only in America.

[DCKit]

4. I agree, but at least their engines won't be running at the stoplight.

However, "later this decade" provides time for a LOT of changes. By the time these SUVs hit the market, the cost of gasoline to push three tons of crap down the road may be prohibitive, even for a hybrid.

By then, we're also going to have far more options re: electric, plug-in hybrid, hydraulic hybrid, etc..., and battery technology (three posts today) seems to be moving along.

Ford and Toyota got started on this about two decades too late.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. SUV with 150 MPG

Presented to Congress some time ago, ho hum, where is it?

www.afstrinity.com

[Kolesar]

9. SUVs have an application: towing, ground clearance and four wheel drive

Most drivers don't need all of those features.

I do see a trend where people are no longer buying big Suburbans and Excursions for basic transportation.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Many people have them around here

They're considered safer than my little Hyundai Elantra. That's important if you're going to gab on the phone and not pay any attention to where you're going.

[AndyTiedye]

21. I Use My Ford Escape Hybrid For All of Those

4 wheel drive, check.
high ground clearance, check.
towing, check, as long as the trailer is not too heavy.

gets around 29-30 mpg even though I drive in the mountains a lot.
(less when towing, of course).

[madokie]

13. Some of us are old and can't get in and out of a tin can anymore

our Explorer is perfect for us so is our f150. We can get in and out of them with some modicum of decency and be able to stand up straight right away. I don't consider my nurse wife or myself, a person who is constantly being sought out as someone who can solve others problems as stupid by a long shot.

[quakerboy]

19. I think you might reconsider that

by trying more cars. Without meaning offense, I have found that many people assume that the cars they like are the cars that fit them the best, when it is not necessarily true.

By way of example, I once worked with a company that worked primarily with elders, many of whom were limited in their mobility. Many even to the point of being wheelchair bound. They had wheelchair vans for those who absolutely could not stand at all, but many can still transfer with limited assistance.

It was assumed that a luxury car might serve best, with comfort and size. However, of the vehicles that were tried we found that a that minivan often worked best for the wheelchair transferees, and others with limited mobility often actually did better with a Prius, as the key factor even for those with knee and hip, and other mobility impediments was usually not the height of the seat itself, but rather the height of the door opening and its positioning in regard to the seat and foot area.

[LaurenG]

3. Working together!?

Uh oh, something that could be considered a progressive philosophy. What is the world coming to. :rofl:


I am really happy to hear such a thing.

[indurancevile]

5. wait, wait, they're competitors! aren't they?

[dipsydoodle]

6. There are lots of joint ventures

over here in Europe. For example Renault vans are made in the GM factory up the road to me.

[indurancevile]

7. yes, i know. not to mention joint ownership & technology transfer. kind of my point.

[muntrv]

24. GM and Toyota had a joint venture in Fremont, CA, which made Corollas.

[itsrobert]

10. Toyota does the brakes, Ford does the Tires

oops

[dipsydoodle]

11. That thought crossed my mind too

:rofl:

[awoke_in_2003]

17. ...

:spray:

[CRK7376]

14. We own both brands

and love both brands. Next new vehicle will be from one of the two brands. I'll be driving my Toyota truck until it falls apart or my 13yo daughter is able to pry my hands off it sometime in her senior year of high school. She so wants that truck...Still both Ford and Toyota are great vehicles and we've had no problems with any of their products. All our vehicles were new when we bought them and all have well over 130k on them. Two Toyotas and one Ford...

[jimlup]

15. Where is Ford's plug in hybrid???

I'm been wondering since both Nissan and Chevy now have one. And why are they only concentrating on SUV type vehicles rather than smaller midsize and economy size?

[dmallind]

16. Coming next year - right after their 100% plug in later this year

C-Max (a small crossover type) will be available in plugin, plugin hybrid versions. Focus EV is being demo'd now in production form.

[Che Billy]

18. I'm not sold

I worry about spending gobs of money on a hybrid. It seems to me that this is a rapidly evolving technology, and that whatever I buy today could become obsolete long before I've made my final payment, ala computers. I simply can't afford to take a giant hit on depreciation with my car. Not at the kind of wages the Bush economy has forced me to accept, anyway.

[NickB79]

20. Yes, because the average consumer has $30,000 to spend on one

We're transitioning from the Great Recession to the 2nd Great Depression. The way the economy is going, they'd be better off gearing up for $3000 scooters and $500 mopeds if they want to have a product most Americans can afford in 5 years.

[Auntie Bush]

23. LOL but probably true! nt