Daimler and Ford closed fuel cell joint venture

According to a report from British Reuters on June 13, Ford Motor Company and Daimler are gradually closing the joint venture established for the development of fuel power cell technology, and the two companies plan to independently develop the technology. Ford said that the automotive fuel cell partnership in Burnaby, British Columbia, will be closed in the summer of 2018. The plant employs about 200 people. Prior to this, Ford will complete its own development of fuel-powered cell stacks and close its joint venture with Daimler. However, the two companies will continue to explore ways to cooperate in the development of fuel power battery pack modules. Although major automakers and start-up companies have conducted years of research and investment in fuel power cell technology, fuel-powered vehicles only occupy a small part of the global automotive market. In 2017, General Motors and Honda established the first joint venture company to put hydrogen fuel cell systems into mass production, supplying advanced fuel cell systems for the future products of the two companies. In addition, Audi also extended a 3.5-year contract with Ballard Power Systems earlier this week to jointly develop fuel power cells. Daimler said that since the summer of 2018, the two will continue to conduct independent research and development in their respective plants, and therefore will close the AutomotiveFuelCellCooperation in Bonaby, Canada. Daimler stated that both parties have reached their respective goals in the process of joint research and development of fuel power battery packs. Daimler is the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes-benz) cars. The technology was once regarded as a way to reduce car exhaust emissions, but fuel-powered cell vehicles are still a niche market, and most car manufacturers are currently focusing on the research and development of electric vehicles. Daimler stated that it and Ford are evaluating the possibility of further cooperation in the development of fuel-powered battery packs.