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Toyota to get BMW Diesel Engines, BMW to get Toyota Hybrid Technology

BMW & Toyota in talks to share technology Toyota and BMW are reportedly in talks to share technology, with BMW getting access to Toyota’s hybrid expertise, and Toyota getting BMW diesel engines. A profitable future for car makers relies to a great extent on yielding the best return they can from their own products, and using the products of other car makers to augment their own range at sensible money. That imperative explains the report today that BMW and Toyota are in talks to exchange technology at which they excel; Toyota with hybrid technology and BMW with diesel engines.

Motorists still not switched on to electric cars

Renault A new survey of 3,000 British motorists suggests there is still a long way to go before electric cars become a serious purchasing choice for the majority, with many saying the government isn’t doing enough to promote them. According to the latest Auto Trader Owner’s Guide, only 1% of UK drivers own what it calls an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV). The poll also illustrates some significant age and gender divides, and shows that price continues to be a serious hindrance to more environmentally friendly motoring.

Better Place Electric Car visitor centre opens

Better Place have opened a visitor centre in Israel to demonstrate their battery swap technology for electric cars Last October we wrote about a start-up company in Israel – Better Place – that had a new way forward for electric cars by taking the purchase of battery packs out of the equation, and was developing a system for ‘Battery Swap’ stations where electric car owners could drive in and swap their battery pack for a fully-charged one in a few minutes. That story first brought to our attention our favourite quote of last year – by Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn – who said “A hybrid is like a mermaid: if you want a fish, you get a woman; if you want a woman, you get a fish.” Which probably explained why Nissan – and its partner Renault – got involved with Better Place. Better Place aims to address the main concerns of electric car drivers by making the battery packs in electric cars ‘swappable’.