Toyota Motors Corp and Tesla Motors from US formed a partnership last week and now a joint press release from both the companies states that both the companies have agreed to work together on a new electric RAV4 that will be powered by Tesla technology. The models will be available in the US market in 2012 but Tesla will deliver the prototypes for consideration before the end of this year.
"Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota's engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla's EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility," the automakers said in the joint announcement.
Tesla already is working on the electric power system for the RAV4, which looks like a small sport utility vehicle but is based on a passenger car frame. Toyota first released an electric version of the RAV4 in 2003, but sold just 300 vehicles, as the market just wasn't ready. Tesla currently sells only one vehicle, i.e. the Tesla Roadster, a two-seater electric sports car costing $109,000 or nearly Rs. 46 lakhs.
Tesla has reportedly developed an electric Lexus RX prototype for the company and will introduce the model for consideration of commercial production as well.
