[volkman10]

Toyota could provide the platform for a new, cheaper Tesla model, according to a source in Japan.

Tesla and Toyota are in the final stages of talks to bring a low-cost electric SUV to market.

When the partnership with Toyota is established, Tesla will be able to launch a compact SUV electric vehicle at low cost using the Toyota platform. In addition, Tesla's sales in Japan, which are around 1,000 units per year, are likely to increase significantly.

It's not the first time the two car makers have partnered. In 2012, the second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV was unveiled using batteries and an electric motor from Tesla.

Though details of the partnership have not been divulged, it's expected Toyota would provide the platform for a mass-produced, low-cost vehicle, with Tesla supplying the electric powertrain.

Toyota already has its fully-electric 'e-TNGA' architecture, set to debut on a number of EV models in the coming years, but the Japanese giant is keen to benefit from Tesla's "IT capabilities",

Although it would take some time, it would result in a new Tesla model selling for $25,000.

Source:

[carthick1000]

Based on a leading Korean Daily Chosun's article, Toyota and Tesla are in the final stages of reviewing their partnership over sharing platform and technology.

Loosely translated from the Korean article:

It is reported that Tesla and Toyota have reviewed the partnership since last year and are approaching the final stage.

According to an official from the Japanese automobile industry on the 28th, Tesla and Toyota are considering jointly developing a small electric SUV platform (the car's basic skeleton). The partnership review has been conducted since last year. Toyota provides the vehicle platform to Tesla, and instead, Tesla provides some of the electronic control platform and software technology onboard its vehicle to Toyota.

When the partnership with Toyota is established, Tesla will be able to launch a compact SUV electric vehicle at low cost using the Toyota platform. In addition, Tesla's sales in Japan, which are around 1,000 units per year, are likely to increase significantly.

Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said at the company's new technology public event'Battery Day' in September last year, "We will release a $25,000 (half-price) electric car in 2023." However, among experts, there were not few opinions that it would be difficult for Tesla to find a way to sell electric cars at such low prices. Tesla introduced the semi-mid-sized electric car'Model 3'in 2017 and the mid-sized electric SUV'Model Y'in 2020, and then released the electric pickup truck'Cyber ​​Truck' within this year. However, the details of the'half-price electric car' that will be released in 2023 are not yet known.

On the other hand, Toyota can also significantly reduce the resources and time spent on innovation of its vehicle's integrated electronic control platform (ECU) and operating system (OS) by using Tesla technology. Toyota is evaluating that the integrated ECU and OS technology that can control and improve vehicle functions through wireless updates (OTA) is lagging behind Tesla. In other words, through cooperation between the two companies, Tesla can reduce the cost and period of developing small electric SUVs and Toyota's ECU and OS development. The two companies aim for a win-win effect that shortens the time it takes to compensate for each other's weaknesses, allowing them to focus more on their own strengths.

Tesla and Toyota have previously partnered. The two companies agreed to jointly develop electric vehicles in 2010, and in 2012 marketed Toyota's RAV4 electric vehicle equipped with Tesla's battery system. However, due to various reasons such as sluggish sales, in 2017, Toyota sold all of Tesla's stake (holding up to 3.15%) and the partnership ended. However, the close relationship between Musk and Toyota CEO Akio Toyota was maintained, leaving room for a reunion between the two companies in the future.

Tesla's headquarters production facility, Fremont, California, was originally a NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) plant where Toyota made cars in cooperation with GM in 1984-2009. Toyota transferred this to Tesla in 2010, and Tesla acquired not only a production facility but also a variety of production technologies from Toyota at the time.

If this works out well, then we could have a small city crossover/compact car coming out of the partnership between two major OEMS. Both Tesla and Toyota are not new when it comes to working with other OEMS to share knowledge. Tesla in the past have worked with Lotus for their first generation Roadster. And Toyota as well has worked with BMW to bring out the Supra/Z4 siblings and with subaru to bring out GT86/BRZ siblings.

[Turbanator]

Except for the fact that both companies name begins with the Alphabet -T, I don’t see an iota of similarities.

So, unless there’s some new management technique of bringing synergies of a giant elephant that moves slower than turtle with a space Rocket, I don’t see how and what exactly will they achieve.

Perhaps, Tesla can enter into Japanese market easier but don’t know what will Toyota gain. Expecting Toyota to learn and improve in any functions with help of Tesla, can only be a dream of anyone.

[Bhargav7]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Except for the fact that both companies name begins with the Alphabet -T, I don’t see an iota of similarities.

Probably that is why this can be a good partnership. Toyota knows how to build a good car. Tesla knows how to manufacture a good battery at a low cost. They seem to have complementary skills.

[DicKy]

All other car manufacturers dreaming of an EV future will be like....


One pushes to the limit for BEVs, while the other is the indisputable master of quality mass production. Can't be a better complementary pair.

While they are at loggerheads with Toyota believing alternatives should be tested out rather than getting blinded by just BEVs and Musk calling FCEVs as 'fool cells', if both can work together, it can benefit each other greatly. Ofcourse, they had worked together in the past and I believe Musk will find it easier to work with Toyota than the other big manufacturer who only knows how to swallow companies.