Toyota in talks with Daimler on hybrid car technology tie-up

Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. is in talks to form an alliance with Germany’s Daimler AG, under which Toyota may license Daimler to produce gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, according to media reports. Daimler would be the fourth automaker in the world to introduce hybrid vehicle technology from Toyota, following Nissan Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. Daimler proposed the alliance in an apparent bid to take advantage of Toyota’s know-how for its efficient development of eco-friendly vehicles, the reports said. Toyota is considering providing Daimler with motors, batteries, other key hybrid vehicle components and a hybrid production license. (September 17, 2010)