Toyota Says "Ready to Collaborate with Hyundai Anytime for Hydrogen Ecosystem"

Hydrogen Vehicle Competes in 'Super Taikyu 2026'

First Application of Superconducting Technology Used in Railways

Chairman Akio Toyoda Personally Joins the Race

"Hyundai Is a Colleague Advancing the Automotive Industry Together"

"If the Hyundai N team wants to work together, we are willing to share the technology we possess."

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it is open to technological collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company at any time to advance the hydrogen vehicle ecosystem. This stems from the view that cooperation between companies is essential for the development of hydrogen technology and the establishment of a hydrogen ecosystem.

On the 6th at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Tomoya Takahashi, President of GR Company, is answering questions from reporters at a press conference. Super Taikyu Joint Press Corps

Tomoya Takahashi, President of GR Company, made this statement during a press conference held at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the 6th, saying, "When it comes to hydrogen technology, our 'door is open.'" GR Company is an in-house independent entity of Toyota Motor Corporation dedicated to high-performance sports cars and motorsports.

President Takahashi described the relationship with Hyundai Motor Company not simply as a competitive one, but as a partnership of "colleagues advancing the automobile together."

He said, "Recently, I also met with officials from Hyundai N and had discussions," adding, "We share the belief that we want to enhance our products through motorsports." He continued, "Moving forward, I believe we will continue to collaborate, cooperate, and compete with each other through automobiles."

However, regarding specific details about collaboration in the hydrogen field between the two companies, he stated, "It is not the stage to make anything public yet," refraining from further comment.

Toyota unveiled its latest hydrogen technology by entering the hydrogen engine Corolla equipped with a liquid hydrogen engine in round 3 of Japan's endurance race series, the 'Super Taikyu 2026,' known as the 'NAPAC Fuji 24-Hour Race.' This year, for the first time, the vehicle was equipped with an electric pump utilizing superconducting technology that had previously been used in the railway sector.

Super Taikyu is a competition that tests the durability of vehicles, and the 'Fuji 24-Hour Race' is a round where teams compete to see who can cover the greatest distance in 24 hours.

President Takahashi explained, "When we first entered the hydrogen engine Corolla in 2021, it was a stage to prove whether it was actually possible to run a car on hydrogen." He continued, "This time, the goal is to verify whether the superconducting pump is a technology that can be used in practice."

He also assessed that social perceptions of hydrogen are changing. He said, "Back in 2021, there was a strong perception that hydrogen was dangerous and unfamiliar as an energy source." He added, "However, since Morizo (Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota's racing name) personally drove the vehicle and participated in the race, I feel that the perception is shifting toward hydrogen being viewed as an energy of the future."

On the 6th, at Fuji Speedway circuit in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota (center left), and his eldest son Daisuke (center right) are taking a commemorative photo with the hydrogen engine GR Corolla, the vehicle participating in the 'Fuji 24-hour Race'. Shizuoka, Japan – Photo by Seungjin Lee

However, Toyota does not see the realization of a hydrogen society as a challenge that can be accomplished in a short period of time. The company explained that it is important to build an ecosystem that encompasses not only the distribution of hydrogen vehicles, but also production, transportation, storage, and utilization.

President Takahashi stated, "For hydrogen, it is not just about the technology; infrastructure and environmental development must happen together," adding, "It is not something that changes all at once, but a process that needs to be prepared step by step."

He took a cautious stance on the timeline for the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles. President Takahashi said, "To be honest, I do not think the current hydrogen technology is at a level that can be immediately provided to customers," adding, "Above all, the current price of hydrogen is extremely high."

He continued, "It is very important that we all work together to bring down the price of hydrogen," and explained, "It is not up to us to set the timing for the launch, but rather, Toyota's role is to be ready to respond whenever the world reaches that point."

Toyota identified production, transportation, storage, and utilization as the key elements of the hydrogen ecosystem. President Takahashi remarked, "The four flows—making, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen—are all important," and noted, "Currently, a variety of companies and organizations are gathering at motorsports venues to build this ecosystem together."

He emphasized, "If the Hyundai N team wants to work together, we are willing to share the technology we possess," and added, "We are actively releasing our technology to those who are interested."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.