Toyota Wants Automakers to Work Together - Jim Press Toyota NA

Chicago February 9, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that in a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago yesterday, Toyota Motor North America President Jim Press called for automakers to cooperate with one another and form partnerships to share technology.

"It's clear to me that we in the industry need to make some fundamental changes in our relationships with suppliers, with government, with communities, and with one another," Press said.

Automotive News reported that Press went on to say automakers should compete in the showroom but collaborate on reducing global warming, introducing safety features, and boosting fuel economy. Toyota already has licensed its hybrid technology to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., which uses it in the Altima Hybrid sedan.

Toyota and General Motors are both working on developing fuels cells, but have declined to report their precise relationship. "It's clear to me that we in the industry need to make some fundamental changes in our relationships with suppliers, with government, with communities and with one another," Press said.