MUNICH, Germany — Against the background of the ongoing global warming discussion, auto makers BMW and DaimlerChrysler agreed to jointly develop a hybrid drive module for premium class cars.

According to a joint press release, the vehicle will be ready for market within three years. For the development, both partners will intensify their R&D cooperation. The hybrid drive module will target to rear-axle drive cars. Both companies plan to align the basic module to the needs of their respective brands upon completion of the basic development.

The car makers aim at implementing a 'mild hybrid' drive module which means that the electric drive is designed only to support the main engine. The alternatives discussed in the industry are 'micro hybrid' which means that the vehicle only possesses start-stop support from the ancillary drive, and full hybrid in which electric motor and combustion engine both independently form a full-fledged drive.

The current project complements the existing cooperation of BMW and DaimlerChrysler within the Hybrid Development Center in Troy, USA.

Cars with a hybrid drive regain kinetic energy, transform them into electric energy and use this energy to drive the car. Thus, they consume less fuel compared to cars driven solely by a combustion engine.