(autoinsidernews) - Top executives from Toyota and Ford met in Tokyo last week to discuss potential partnership opportunities between the companies, according to a report in the New York Times.
The meeting was reportedly held at Ford's request. Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho and Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally met last week as a first step. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, and other senior Toyota executives also attended the meeting.
Ford and Toyota are not believed to be discussing an alliance, like the GM/Nissan-Renault talks earlier this year. The discussions between Toyota and Ford appear to have centered on development of hybrid-electric and hydrogen powered cars and ways Ford can improve its manufacturing efficiency, reports Trend.
The two parties plan to meet again for further talks. We aren't sure what this means, but Mulally is a student of the Toyota Production System, and has admitted that he has a high admiration for the Japanese automaker.