Toyota, BMW Set To Confirm Hybrid Technology Partnership: Report

BMW and Toyota could be on the verge of announcing a new technology tie-up, according to reports out of Germany this week.

Deutsch paper Der Spiegel reports that the carmakers will soon announce plans to expand cooperation beyond battery development and diesel engines.

The report follows news in December that Toyota will source small diesel engines from BMW for its European-market models from 2014, in exchange for cooperation in the development of next-generation lithium-ion battery technology.

Details are thin on the ground, although reports out of Europe suggest that deepening ties between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Opel could see BMW move its focus on hybrid drivetrain development to Toyota and away from PSA.

Adding to speculation of an advanced green-technology partnership, Germany's Manager Magazine reports that BMW and Toyota will soon announce an alliance based on "joint projects in hybrid technology, fuel cells and vehicle electronics".

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer and Toyota President Akio Toyoda will announce details in the near future, the magazine said.

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