Lexus Will Not Use BMW-Sourced Diesel Powerplants
Under a new partnership agreement between BMW and Toyota, engines and hybrid technology will be shared in order to spread development costs for future efficient vehicles. BMW confirmed its 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel engines will be installed in selective Toyota models beginning 2014, but there is still a great deal of speculation as to the extent of technology and proprietary components the two companies plan to share.
Industry analysts wondered whether Toyota’s premium brand Lexus would use BMW diesel engines as well. To this, Toyota Europe representative Etienne Plas responded with, “The agreement with BMW does not include any supply of BMW engines to Lexus.”
Professor Ferdinand Dudenoeffer of the Center for Automotive research at the University of Duisburg-Essen, German, added that due to perception and reputation, Lexus would be better positioned as an innovator of plug-in and full hybrid vehicles.
[Source: AutoNews Europe]
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