Since 1969, Toyota has invested in the research and development of hybrid technology. By 1997, Toyota finally independently developed the first-generation gasoline-electric hybrid system THS and successfully applied it to mass-produced models. On the PRIUS, Toyota's technology has now developed to the fourth generation. It not only brought huge profits and countless patents to Toyota, but also allowed Toyota to stand at the top of the food chain in the field of gasoline-electric hybrids. There is a saying in the industry that there are only two gasoline-electric technologies in the world, one is Toyota and the other is others, which reflects the market's high recognition of Toyota's gasoline-electric hybrid technology.
Recently, Toyota's hybrid company BluE Nexus has reached a technology transfer agreement with Guangzhou Automobile Group. The former will sell the THS gasoline-electric hybrid technology to the latter. This news caused quite a shock on the Internet. It's also a first ever for Toyota. Although Toyota's core component supplier Corun has obtained Toyota's THS technology in 2019, it was only part of it. What Toyota has exported to GAC this time is a complete set of technologies, which will also make it easier for GAC to implement large-scale commercialization into mass-produced models and obtain returns more quickly. In fact, the GAC Trumpchi GS8 equipped with Toyota's THS hybrid technology is currently undergoing road tests and is expected to be launched next year.
But don’t be too happy too soon. Toyota, which seems to be generous, actually has its own selfish motives.
First, what Toyota sold to GAC is still the first-generation THS, which has old technology. You must know that Toyota's THS has developed to the fourth generation. Secondly, in recent years, Toyota's patent protection related to hybrid technology has gradually entered its expiration date. To put it bluntly, the first-generation THS gasoline-electric hybrid technology was Toyota's leftover food. In the final stage, it not only made another fortune but also made a favor. I have to say that this Toyota is very smart.
Thirdly, and most importantly, Toyota is extremely eager to promote its hybrid technology to other manufacturers.
Although the abundant patents have established solid technical barriers for Toyota and gained a lot of profits, the technical blockade has also made it lose some of its right to speak. Toyota holds most of the patents related to gasoline-electric hybrid power, and many other manufacturers can only find new ways to develop pure electric and plug-in hybrid power. Moreover, gasoline-electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids will only be short-term transitions, and pure electric drive will be the main development direction in the future. This has become a global consensus. More importantly, in the Chinese market, previous policies directly bypassed gasoline-electric hybrids and did not enjoy related favorable conditions such as green cards, no lottery, subsidies, etc. Toyota's hybrid technology currently has no influence in the market. Not ideal.
Bundling its own gasoline-electric hybrid technology with GAC will also help expand the share of gasoline-electric hybrid models, truly expand the influence of Toyota's hybrid technology in the market, and even attract more cooperation. , it can also buy Toyota more time to develop pure electric models and reserve confidence for future competition. In the long run, it will be beneficial to Toyota.
At the same time, starting from January 1, 2021, domestic policies will finally tilt towards gasoline-electric hybrid power. This is an excellent opportunity for Toyota, which can take action faster than Honda. , and also prompts independent manufacturers to prefer Toyota when choosing a partner for gasoline-electric hybrid technology in the future.
As for GAC, after absorbing Toyota’s hybrid technology, although the research and development threshold has been lowered a lot and the starting point is higher than that of other independent car companies, in order to avoid being led by others, it cannot Give up research and development, and don’t repeat the mistakes made by independent car companies in the field of internal combustion engines decades ago. If you fall behind, you will be beaten. Have we suffered enough?