Toyota Motor Corporation and BMW Group Strengthen Collaboration Towards the Advancement of a Hydrogen Society

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and the BMW Group (BMW) signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration in the hydrogen sector, with a view to creating a hydrogen society and achieving overall carbon neutrality. Both companies will work together on the development of fuel cells system and the improvement of infrastructure.

The two companies signed an agreement in December 2011 to establish a mid-long-term cooperative relationship in environmental technology, and have jointly advanced the development of environmental technologies, including fuel cells and sports cars, for over a decade. Sharing a common vision of "realizing a hydrogen society" the two companies will continue to accelerate technological innovation in fuel cell systems.

Toyota and BMW are collaborating on the development of a third-generation fuel cell system, which will be installed in both companies’ models to provide customers with a broader range of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). As a first step, BMW plans to launch its first mass-produced FCEV in 2028.

Both companies will also work to create synergies through collaboration in development and procurement as well as drive down costs by amalgamating powertrain units to expand commercial and passenger vehicle demand. By making FCEV a more accessible option, the partnership will contribute to the creation of a hydrogen society.

Both companies believe that working with like-minded partners is essential for realizing a hydrogen society. Given the need to create clusters of demand for hydrogen in the early stages of popularisation, Toyota and BMW will encourage sustainable hydrogen supply by creating demand and working closely with hydrogen-producing companies as well as distribution and refuelling facilities to ensure a stable hydrogen supply and reduce costs.

We are pleased that the collaboration between BMW and Toyota has entered a new stage. In our long history of partnership, we have confirmed that BMW and Toyota share the same passion for cars and belief in “technology openness” and a “multi-pathway” approach to carbon neutrality. Based on these shared values, we will deepen our collaboration in efforts such as the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure, aiming for the realization of a hydrogen society. We will accelerate our efforts together with BMW and partners across various industries to realize a future where hydrogen energy supports society.

This is a milestone in automotive history: the first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle to be offered by a global premium manufacturer. Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility. And it will herald an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles.

Toyota has positioned hydrogen as a key energy source in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, and has been advancing initiatives in collaboration with many partners across the areas of "producing, transporting, storing, and using" hydrogen.

Toyota aims to be best-in-town by conducting locally rooted management that caters to each region’s market characteristics and customer needs. Moving forward, we will continue to address the needs of customers in each region by focusing on a multi-pathway approach that includes FCEV, BEV, HEV, and PHEV options, all while steadily working towards reducing CO2 emissions.

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs over 25,000 people and has invested over EUR 11 billion in Europe since 1990. Its eight European manufacturing plants are located in Portugal, the UK, France, Poland, Czech Republic and Turkey. Today, there are approximately 14.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles on European roads, whose drivers are supported by a network of 28 National Marketing and Sales Companies and around 2,800 retail sales outlets in 53 countries (EU, UK, EFTA countries + Russia, Israel, Turkey and other Eastern European countries). In 2023, TME sold 1,173,419 vehicles in Europe for a 6.7% market share. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com.

Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. In the pursuit of "Mobility for All", Toyota aims to create safer, more connected, inclusive and sustainable mobility to achieve its mission of producing “Happiness for All”. In Europe, TME launched the KINTO mobility brand which offers a range of mobility services in 20 countries, and is growing its business-to-business sales of zero-emission fuel cell products and engineering support. Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Toyota is working to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire business across Europe. A historic leader in CO2 reduction in Europe, TME aims to achieve 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035 and will continue to offer a full range of electrified powertrains to customers across the region with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles.  

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