Toyota and GM end joint fuel-cell research

Geneva March 02, 2006; James Mackintosh writing for Reuters reported that General Motors and Toyota, the world's two largest carmakers, will no longer share development of hydrogen-powered cars after failing to include fuel cells in a new advanced technology-sharing pact signed yesterday.

The US and Japanese companies have been collaborating on the clean fuel since 1999, and spent much of last year discussing how to move from laboratory experiments towards commercial development, even considering a joint production facility.

But they could not agree terms for the sharing of intellectual property on hydrogen fuel cells, people close to both companies said at the Geneva motor show this week.