Samsung and Bosch Chase Toyota, Honda and Nissan
Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH is the largest parts maker in the world and Samsung is, well, um, Samsung.
Bosch and Samsung have agreed to collaborate to develop the next-generation batteries for hybrid cars.
The arrangement is a 50-50 joint venture. The two giants will together spend some $500 million over the next five years. Their goal is to improve on the lithium ion battery for hybrids and sell them to GM, Ford Motor, Hyundai and other takers.
In short, the two companies will spend the next five years chasing Toyota, working with Matsushita Electric and Nissan, working in a partnership with NEC Corp.
Five years from now, Toyota will have set a new standard in the industry.
Samsung/Bosch want to bring down the costs of the hybrid car batteries and in turn bring down the overall costs of the more eco-friendly hybrid cars.
Hybrids go for as much as $5000 more than their fossil fuel gas hogging counterparts. Hybrids are better on the environment but not on the wallets of consumers. Most consumers don't mind changing the world, they just don't want to pay for it all by themselves.
In the meantime, Honda Motor Co is setting the standard even higher with the launch of the Clarity hydrogen-fueled car. It is now on lease in the United States.
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