Ford & Toyota end hybrid partnership

Two of the major automakers of the world, Ford and Toyota have made an announcement to end their partnership to jointly develop a new hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

Not much detail is available about the same, but both companies completed a feasibility study and decided to develop their hybrid systems on their own. Without any proper reasoning, both companies have said that they will continue to evaluate the possibility of working together on next-generation standards for in-car telematics, back-end support systems for call centers and Internet-based services.

Despite the break up, Ford insists their new hybrid system will be available by the end of the decade. The company further said it will be based on an all-new architecture and deliver the capability truck and SUV customers demand.

Group Vice President of Global Product Development of Ford, Raj Nair, was quoted saying, “We know what it takes to build world-class hybrids, and we now will build and leverage that expertise in-house.” He stated further that developing a rear wheel drive hybrid system on their own will help them to extend their advanced hybrid technologies to new vehicle segments and deliver even better fuel economy across the other lineups.