Daimler and Toyota To Form Partnership On Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tech?
Daimler and Toyota have long been competitors in the world wide auto market. It is somewhat odd then to learn that they may form a partnership for hydrogen fuel cell development.
German and Japanese companies teaming up to develop fuel cell technology? It seems like a clash of corporate cultures at the very least and a full on chaotic relationship at worst. Ah, but is it? The current state of hydrogen fuel cell technology requires some serious engineering and both companies are know for providing it.
There is another way to look at this purported relationship. Both Daimler and Toyota are some of the most experienced companies when it comes to hydrogen based transport. Toyota has been playing around with the technology since 1992, beating Daimler by only one year. Both have prototypes that are functional and a lot of experience based on developing them.
The question is why team up now? The answer seems to be a push to move the concept of hydrogen fuel cell technology from an utopian idea to a reality. Toyota has boldly announced it will have a hydrogen car as part of its product line starting in 2015. [I doubt it!] Daimler faces a 2016 minimum mileage standard in the United States that it isn’t even remotely close to meeting given the gas hog nature of the Mercedes line. Both companies need a break through, so teaming up seems a natural idea in many ways.
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So, will it all work out? Will we see the first practical hydrogen cars on the road by 2015? It is anybody’s guess. That being said, we are talking about two powerhouse companies that have a history of delivering the goods. Both have already invested huge amounts of money into the technology. If I were a betting man, I wouldn’t bet against them. They may not meet the 2015 deadline, but they will almost certainly get there at some point.