GM, BMW and Daimler pool efforts on hybrids

A research alliance consisting of General Motors, Bayerische Motoren Werke and DaimlerChrysler plans to invest more than $1 billion to develop a new hybrid transmission and related systems that backers say will leapfrog the market-leading technology offered by Toyota.

For the past 18 months, about 500 engineers at the three automakers have been jointly developing the next-generation hybrid-engine technology, which combines a battery-powered electric motor with a conventional gasoline combustion engine, company representatives said Friday on the sidelines of an auto industry trade meeting.

The so-called dual-mode hybrid technology being developed by the consortium includes an onboard fuel- optimization computer that determines when and at what speeds the two motors will be used for power and how the on-board battery will be recharged.

Development of the transmission, which is the core of the project, is expected to cost the partners about $300 million, said Andreas Truckenbrodt, executive director of DaimlerChrysler’s hybrid programs.

The rest of the investment will be devoted to integrating the new hybrid system with other vehicle components, he said.

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