Toyota has announced its intention to join Daimler Truck and Volvo Group’s fuel cell system joint venture, cellcentric.
The three companies intend to collaborate based on an equal shareholding. The combination of the parties’ complementary experience and know-how will support and advance their joint objective to develop, produce and commercialise fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements.
Additionally, Toyota and cellcentric intend to jointly manage the development and production of fuel cell unit cells – the core component of fuel cell systems – and directly linked architecture and control elements with the aim of creating competitive products based on the technologies of both companies.
By combining Daimler Truck and Volvo’s extensive commercial vehicle expertise with Toyota’s fuel cell development, production technology and manufacturing experience the aim is to further strengthen cellcentric’s technological advantage and market competitiveness.
In addition, through collaboration with industry associations and partners across the entire hydrogen value chain, the partners aim to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure in the early stages.
Karin Rådström, president and CEO, Daimler Truck, says: “We are proud that Toyota plans to join cellcentric as a shareholder. This will enable us to strengthen development and further scale hydrogen technology, which we believe complements battery-electric drives in decarbonising transport”.
Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO, Volvo Group, adds: “We are thrilled to explore this collaboration with Toyota, so that we through cellcentric can accelerate and create critical mass for hydrogen applications. This is an important signal to customers, suppliers, and others in the ecosystem. Given the importance of accelerating the transformation into net-zero transportation, the need of great companies coming together and collaborating is more important than ever. Welcoming Toyota onboard will be a big leap towards realising decarbonisation of our industries.”
