Toyota Fuji battery banter

TOYOTA Motor Corporation president Katsuaki Watanabe has hit out at critics who argue that the Japanese auto giant bought shares in Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) simply to access its hybrid battery technology.

"General Motors told FHI it was releasing its shares," Mr Watanabe told GoAuto in Tokyo last week.

"The president of Fuji Heavy asked us to buy half the holdings of GM.

"In terms of technology production we have been of the view that there is a good chance we can create a win-win relationship with Subaru.

"Therefore we said we are ready to accept his request to buy half the shares released by GM. We are exploring possibilities for working together.

"EV is one thing, but rather than that the development stage of product engineering and the location of production are both areas where probably we can create a win-win situation much (more) quickly and earlier."TMC executive vice-president Kazuo Okamoto was more pointed.

"It’s a misconception. Toyota’s battery technology is very good. Prius has a Lithium-Ion battery. We haven’t studied how good Subaru’s battery is."