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Firms had been working independently 3 WHEELS August 25, 2011 Ford, Toyota teaming up to work on hybrid system Ford and Toyota­ the world's two leading manufacturers of hybrid vehicles­ have announced they will equally collaborate on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for light truck and SUV customers. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the product development collaboration, with the formal agreement expected by next year. Both companies have been working independently on their own future-generation rear-wheel drive hybrid systems. The two now have committed to collaborate as equal partners on a new hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs. Ford and Toyota believe that their collaboration will allow them to bring these hybrid technologies to customers sooner and more affordably than either company could have accomplished alone. Specifically, Ford and Toyota will: · Jointly develop as equal partners a new rear-wheel drive hybrid system and component technology for light trucks and SUVs · Independently integrate the new hybrid system in their future vehicles separately For years, both Ford and Toyota have been working independently on similar new rear-wheel-drive hybrid systems aimed at delivering higher fuel economy in light trucks and SUVs. When the two companies began discussing this potential collaboration, they discovered how quickly they were able to find common ground. This rear-wheel-drive hybrid system will be based on an all-new architecture to deliver the capability truck and SUV customers demand while providing greater fuel economy. While the rear-wheel-drive hybrid system will share common technology and components, Ford and Toyota will individually integrate the system into their own vehicles. Each company also will determine the calibration and performance dynamics characteristics of their light pickups and SUVs. --Metroland Media Carguide Magazine