It is always exciting to see carmakers do collaborations and create magic. Every time two automotive brands work on a joint project and merge their strengths together, the end product is a masterpiece. What two better companies to carry the mission than Toyota and Tesla, the gurus of the automotive industry. According to a report by a South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, the two carmakers are in talks to co-develop an electric vehicle platform for small electric SUVs.
The South Korean media quoted an official from the Japanese auto industry who claims that the two companies have been having secret talks since last year. Now the Toyota-Tesla partnership is in the final stage.
If the report stands true and the two companies become allies, Tesla will contribute with its software and electronics expertise and Toyota will bring its vehicle construction mastery to the table and build the actual vehicle platform. When all is said and done, both companies will utilize the end product, i.e., the electric vehicle platform, to build modern compact SUVs of their own.
History of Toyota and Tesla Alliance
An interesting fact is that this is not the first time Toyota and Tesla are forming an alliance. Nearly 11 years ago, the two companies announced a partnership to develop electric vehicles together. Unfortunately, at the time, these two companies could not work their deal out. In 2017, Toyota sold all of Tesla’s stake, and the partnership ended. Thanks to the close relationship between the two CEOs, Elon Musk and Akio Toyota, their companies are back together.
This new partnership will be beneficial for both companies, especially Toyota. The company is behind the curve when it comes to electric vehicle technology. But it is now coming on that front and has even committed to launching at least 10 EVs in the first half of this decade (by 2025). Forming an alliance with Tesla, the king of EVs, will be a huge plus for Toyota.
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