All posts tagged norbert reithofer

BMW and Toyota announce research collaboration in environment-friendly technologies

By Adrian

bmw toyota logos

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Co. announce that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on new environment-friendly technologies. The agreement means that the companies will begin to work together on a new generation of lithium-ion batteries, leaving the door open to possible further developments of the partnership. Moreover, In addition, the BMW Group will supply 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines to Toyota Europe, starting in 2014.

Commenting the announcement, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW Norbert Reithofer said that: “Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments.”

Toyota Motor Corporation’s President Akio Toyoda added: “It is a great joy and a thrill to enter into this mid-to-long-term collaborative relationship with BMW, a company with its own culture and history from its many years of car manufacturing in Europe, and a company that makes cars that are fun to drive.”

via | Auto-Media.Info

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BMW X4: production confirmed

By Adrian

In a recent interview with a German magazine, BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer officially confirmed that the BMW X4 will actually enter into production. No further information was given about this model, but chances are that both building platform and engines will be completely borrowed from the X3 range. The styling of the X4 will be also inspired by the X3, in the same way as the X6 grew out of the X5.

Rumor has it that the new X4 will be 4.65 meters long and in addition we think it’s quite likely that its height will be significantly lower than the X3 standards. This would imply that the X4’s centre of mass will be lower as well, to the benefit of its handling on the road. The arrival of a possible “M” version of this model in the future has not been ruled out.