Toyota would consider tie-up with Ford if asked - president |
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Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:39
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TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Toyota Motor Corp is willing to consider a broader partnership with Ford Motor Co if the US automaker requests it, the Nikkei reported, citing Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe.Watanabe was quoted by the business daily as saying in an interview that if the two decide on a closer tie-up, it would likely 'center on technological development.'But the executive stressed that Toyota has not received specific requests and that the parties have not entered talks.Watanabe also suggested that cooperating in fields other than environmental technologies is an option, saying that such a possibility 'is not zero.'Meantime, the president also said his firm intends to market in Japan the small strategic vehicle it is designing for emerging markets, and plans to set a low sticker price of about 800,000 yen.To be equipped with a 1-liter engine, this model, which the automaker is currently developing for release in the so-called BRIC markets - Brazil, Russia, India and China - and elsewhere, will be the lowest-priced car in Toyota's lineup.The new model is expected to compete with Renault SA's Logan, the low-priced car that is enjoying growing sales in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, the Nikkei said.(1 usd = 120.66 yen)yasuhiko.seki@xfn.com
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