The California Fuel Cell Partnership, a public-private venture to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles in California and explore the path to commercialization, announced that automobile manufacturers General Motors and Toyota will accept an invitation to join the effort. The partnership's executive steering team is expected to formalize GM and Toyota's participation in the next few weeks. The partnership -- which formally began in April 1999 -- includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, and now GM and Toyota), energy providers (BP, Shell, Texaco), fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems and International Fuel Cells), and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District). Together, the eight auto companies will demonstrate more than 60 fuel cell electric vehicles in California over the next three years. Initially, vehicles will be housed at the partnership's state-of-the-art headquarters facility in West Sacramento, CA, the largest concentration of fuel cell vehicles in the world. The grand opening ceremonies for the facility are scheduled for Nov. 1, 2000. For more information about the California Fuel Cell Partnership, visit their website at: www.fuelcellpartnership.org