Tesla Motors and Toyota announced today that they signed a deal to make electic RAV4s together. The joint venture will merge the existing RAV4 design with a Tesla EV power train. Tesla has already built the first prototype and it's currently being tested by Toyota. The goal is to bring an electric RAV4 to market in the US by 2012.
"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."
This announcement is reminiscent of the GM and Toyota 1984 synergistic venture, NUMMI, and coincidentally(?) the Tesla bought the old NUMMI manufacturing plant back in May.
Tesla and Toyota have done some great things independently in the green car space. Let hope this partnership will bring the skills and expertise to help the EV break into the mainstream.