Toyota wants to join fuel cell joint venture

31.03.2026

Source: E & M powernews

Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group, "cellcentric" and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed an agreement to cooperate in the field of fuel cell technology.

The companies intend to work together in future as equal shareholders. The aim is to develop, produce and market fuel cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements, according to a press release.

Toyota and Cellcentric, a joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, also intend to jointly develop and produce individual cells for fuel cells.

In addition, the partners want to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and hydrogen infrastructure in the early phase through cooperation with industry associations and partners along the entire hydrogen value chain.

The aim is an equal shareholder structure

According to the partners, the Cellcentric fuel cell joint venture will continue to operate as an autonomous and independent company and serve a broad spectrum of customers in the heavy commercial vehicle sector. In order to achieve an equal shareholder structure, Toyota plans to participate and invest in Cellcentric through a capital increase. In all other business areas, Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota intend to "continue to compete independently of each other".

According to the companies involved, the move is also intended to contribute to the long-term vision of the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Japanese Hydrogen Society Act. The signed agreement is initially non-binding. However, talks will continue and the aim is to conclude a legally binding agreement.

About Cellcentric

Cellcentric develops, produces and markets fuel cell systems for use in heavy commercial vehicles and other applications with similar requirements. The joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, now joined by Toyota, was founded in 2021. The company employs more than 560 people at its sites in Kirchheim/Teck, Esslingen and Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, as well as in Burnaby (Canada).

Author: Günter Drewnitzky