Toyota's hybrid technology is unique in the world, especially with the arrival of the TNGA architecture. Toyota has plans to popularize hybrid power in all models. In China, the sales of Toyota dual-engine models such as Ralink dual-engine, Corolla dual-engine, Camry dual-engine, Asia Dragon dual-engine, and Wilanda dual-engine are outstanding. Consumers are also full of praise for the dual-engine models, which have low fuel consumption and strong power. Toyota Twin Engine owners are extremely happy.
However, just recently, Toyota has packaged and sold the hybrid system to Guangzhou Automobile Group.
It is also reported that Toyota will provide the GAC Group with a complete hybrid system, not partial technology and partial patent licensing. Guangzhou Automobile Group's independent segment may launch a new hybrid model using Toyota's THS system in 2021. The GS8 equipped with the system is already undergoing road tests.
Some people say that this operation is like a poor boy marrying Bai Fumei and reaching the pinnacle of life! But actually if you take a closer look, this is obviously an older leftover girl who found a good family and got married quickly.
I believe many people know that Toyota's hybrid system has been looking for partners in China for a long time, and the fees are quite generous. How to say it? In 2018, Toyota Motor is cooperating with Geely Automobile to promote hybrid technology through its Chinese supplier Keli Automobile. After the cooperation was concluded, Geely won Toyota's THS core technology for 1 yuan.
Toyota’s hybrid technology is so useless? This is completely different from the Bai Fumei everyone has in mind! Toyota's THS System (Toyota Hybrid System) is indeed the first in the industry, but if you don't tell me, you may not know that in order to promote hybrid technology in the country, Toyota has worked hard and even spent money to subsidize its own hybrid models to improve its performance. Sales volume and share.
Back in 2015, Toyota launched two gasoline-electric hybrid products, Corolla Shuangqing and Ralink Shuangqing, at the "Shuangqing Night" in Shanghai. Since it is a compact model positioned for home use, price has become the biggest sales obstacle, so Toyota teamed up with FAW Toyota and GAC Toyota to smooth out the price difference between the Toyota Dual Engine version and the fuel version at its own expense, creating a "zero price difference" sales strategy.
Toyota’s hybrid technology promotion is actually not going smoothly.
As early as 2015, Toyota showed its determination to "leave the children behind to trap the wolf" and opened up more than 1,000 gasoline-electric hybrid patents for free to attract more car companies to enter the hybrid market. , make the cake bigger first and then eat it, the abacus is loud and clear.
However, the major car companies also understand that no one can beat Toyota in the field of hybrid power. If you join now, you will undoubtedly become Toyota's "little brother". When you really want to divide the cake, who will eat first? Toyota. Therefore, after so many years, except for the 1-yuan cooperation between Geely and Toyota, other car companies have little interest.
The former Gao Fumei has slowly become an older leftover, and Toyota’s hybrid technology is becoming increasingly difficult to sell.
It is reported that the THS provided by Toyota to GAC Group is the first-generation system, and Toyota THS has now developed to the fourth generation! Of course, this news has not been confirmed by both parties.
Then why did Toyota provide hybrid core technology to GAC Group so smoothly? Because the basic patent for Toyota's hybrid system is about to expire. If you don't sell it, it will really be ruined.
In Europe and the United States, Toyota’s patent for the planetary gear core of the hybrid system has long expired. In China, the 13 core patents will expire in 2023 at the latest. Time waits for no one.
It is worth noting that the complete hybrid system provided by Toyota to GAC Group is the first time Toyota has provided core hybrid technology to a foreign company. Although hybrid technology has been shared with Mazda, Subaru, etc., these two companies are Toyota's younger brothers. The cooperation with Guangzhou Automobile Group is the first time to share technology with non-Japanese companies.
In the vast sea of ??cars, why did Toyota turn to GAC Group? It's very simple. The family of GAC Group is relatively wealthy! Moreover, the cooperation between GAC Group and Toyota is very pleasant. Do you still remember Toyota’s first electric car in China? It’s the GAC New Energy Aion S with the Toyota logo.
In addition, Toyota provided the hybrid system to Guangzhou Automobile Group, which is also a show of goodwill to domestic car companies. Next year, China will begin to include hybrids in the environmental protection category under the new emission standards. This is a rare opportunity for Toyota hybrids.
As Toyota, which has the advantages of hybrid technology, on the one hand, it can prompt Chinese automakers to pay more attention to hybrid technology. You see, I, Toyota, am not generous, I guarantee you won’t lose money if you cooperate with me! Therefore, choosing this time to cooperate with GAC to provide hybrid systems will help expand Toyota's sales in China.
Toyota's provision of hybrid systems to GAC Group is an important step for itself. The goal of Toyota's THS system is to occupy more markets. The bigger the pie, the better it will make money. With the patent expiring soon and stimulated by domestic policies, Toyota finally launched the hybrid system, which was not easy. For GAC Group, acquiring Toyota's hybrid system will further improve the vehicle's technical system. Toyota provided the hybrid system to GAC, and the elderly leftover girl finally found a good home. It seems that this operation is a win-win situation so far.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.