That new thread seems to have sparked some intelligent conversation, so I guess I'll add what I've been told lately. Gerry Klopp replied to a recent e-mail and said to expect more news on the ISUZU front. Unfortunately, he didn't give a timeline. Possible small order (200-400 units) coming from Chile. They think the deal with IDEM will lead to production for all of the Middle East and they hope for worldwide production. Said Maruti effort requires more involvment of additional party (maybe Suzuki? He didn't say). I would like to find out exactly what is going on in India.
I also saw this on the GLE thread (post 2691). ATF has already done work with Hino, I wish they would make a big splashy agreement with them and sell a whole bunch of units.
COMPANIES & FINANCE: INTERNATIONAL: Toyota seeks technology alliances JAPAN CARMAKER LOOKS FOR LINK-UPS TO SPEED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS:
90% match; Financial Times ; 19-Jul-1999 09:46:55 am ; 405 words
Toyota Motor will seek technical alliances with companies to gain access to technologies that have proved difficult for it to develop on its own, according to Fujio Cho, the carmaker's new president.
Japan's largest carmaker is ready to do deals with companies with which it does not have alliances already, Mr Cho told the Financial Times in one of his first interviews since replacing Hiroshi Okuda as president in June.
"Toyota, Daihatsu (an affiliated carmaker that specialises in minicars) and Hino (the truckmaker) will run the core business together. But as far as development of environmental technologies is concerned, this will become an extremely important issue for global carmakers, including Toyota. It will become necessary to have various technologies.
"Right now, we have alliances with companies like GM and Exxon, but if there were the need for other technologies in the future, we would tie up with other companies," he added. Toyota also has a non-capital alliance with Volkswagen.
Mr Cho declined to specify which areas had been identified as potential candidates for an alliance. However, Toyota officials said Mr Cho had mentioned batteries and fuel-related technology as areas for co-operation with a non-carmaker. Tsuyoshi Mochimaru, analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, said diesel engines was another area where Toyota might need a partner.
Environmental technologies, such as fuel cells, electric vehicles, and low-emission engines, are among the critical areas of research for carmakers in order to meet stiffer emissions regulations in the future.
While cash-rich Toyota has avoided equity alliances, the carmaker has linked with General Motors for joint development of electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles, and Volkswagen for intelligent transportation systems, recycling and marketing. It also has a tie-up with Panasonic EV Energy for batteries.
Mr Cho said recently that Toyota was studying the feasibility of expanding its relationship with Volkswagen to include joint parts purchasing and development.
Toyota was also considering expanding its credit operations, an area Ford Motor has cultivated as part of its effort to be a consumer services company, but that has been slower to develop in Japan.
Mr Cho said: "There are many car-related businesses - consumer finance, car monthly payments, car insurance, and credit card - and we are already doing a little bit in these areas. In the future, I think we will need to do a bit more in car-related businesses."
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