Carmakers Toyota and Ford¹ have agreed to collaborate² a new hybrid³ system for SUVs and light trucks.

汽车制造商丰田与福特将联合为越野车及轻型货车开发新式混合动力系统。

The two said they will work as equal partners under a memorandum⁴（备忘录） of understanding they have signed.

They will jointly⁵ develop a rear-wheel drive powertrain to be available later this decade, which they will then each install in their own separate vehicles.

The US and Japanese firms also agreed to work together on common standards for web-based services in cars.

"This agreement brings together the capability⁶ of two global leaders in hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology to develop a better solution more quickly and affordably," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of product development.

Toyota is well-known for its hybrid vehicles - which are powered by both a petrol engine and an electric motor - after launching its Prius cars in 1997, and has sold 3.3 million hybrid vehicles since.

Separate collaboration⁷ on telematics systems, also announced by the pair, is expected to improve the availability of telephone, navigation and entertainment services in cars.

The memorandum is expected to be fleshed out into a fully⁸ costed formal agreement some time next year.