Mazda has committed to joining the hybrid race by the “20-teens”, but the small Japanese automaker won’t be going it alone. Just as Nissan licensed its early hybrid technology from Toyota, Mazda will reportedly source its early hybrid tech from the world’s largest automaker.
According to the Nikkei business daily, Toyota will supply Mazda with the core parts for its forthcoming hybrid vehicles. The first Mazda hybrids with Toyota-sourced internals should hit the market sometime in 2013. Although Mazda isn’t a large automaker, it plans to sell about 100,000 hybrids annually.
It remains unclear which Mazda model will be the first to receive the hybrid treatment, but the Japanese automaker has previously stated it isn’t planning any dedicated hybrid models.
The tie-up seems to be a win-win for both automakers. Mazda will be receiving one of the best hybrid systems on the market – able, in its current form, to return up to 50 mpg – and Toyota will be getting a much needed extra stream of income. Expect to hear more on the hybrid partnership as we close in on that 2013 launch date.
07/16, 10:43 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Oh good. The Borg have found a new species to assimilate.
07/16, 11:10 AM
posted by:
05Z88Path
What happened to “soul of a race car” and “Zoom-Zoom”?
07/16, 11:13 AM
posted by:
freeyellow2000
Every hyrid car will be powered by Toyota and Honda. I won’t be surprise if GM had a secret agreement with Toyota to license the technology as well.
07/16, 11:18 AM
posted by:
CADDY-V
freeyellow-
Are you serious?
07/16, 12:02 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Zoom Zoom Zoom is now Zap Zap Zap.
07/16, 12:25 PM
posted by:
Commodore
But I thought VW was “the world’s largest”..oh what a meaningless title
On the Mazdas, I think they may be my favorite Japanese automaker. Their cars are actually somewhat exciting and well designed as opposed to being bland like most Toyota/Honda/Nissan models
07/16, 12:29 PM
posted by:
CarCrazy-and-16
I think its good to have another hybrid to compete with the prius, even if it uses the same technology.
07/16, 2:19 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
GAY!
07/16, 3:20 PM
posted by:
snoogah
freeyellow, the agreement wasnt a secret gm actually does use toyota hybrid technology and so does ford
07/16, 4:00 PM
posted by:
CarCrazy-and-16
Snoogah, name some hybrid models that GM and Ford use that share parts with toyota? I don’t really think that is true.
07/16, 4:11 PM
posted by:
CarCrazy-and-16
I can give you good reasons that GM hybrids use GM technology, not Toyota’s.
#1) Most of GM’s hybrids are SUV’s, toyota has one hybrid SUV, and that is the Highlander. I think that if GM had gotten its SUV hybrid system from toyota, toyota would have a hybrid Sequoia
#2) GM’s hybrid cars like the malibu and aura hybrid don’t match up in gas mileage with the camry.
#3) Don’t you think if GM is using Toyota hybrid technology that they would have tried to copy the prius, and don’t say the volt is doing that because the volts system is entirely new and a GM only product.
07/16, 6:51 PM
posted by:
steve333
Since Ford owns part of Mazda, why isn’t Mazda using Ford’s system? It doesn’t make sense.
07/16, 10:27 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Another maker bows at the feet of the Master
DrFill
07/17, 9:33 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Its simple math…hybrids don’t make money, only gives Mazda some market share where they have none. Its not a “feet of the master” issue. Its that in the “patent process”, Toyota has tied up all “things round” patents, and no one can develope systems that don’t infringe on one or another of Toyota’s patents that they will defend legally. Easier to pay the toll than to fight the holder. We need a new direction in Hybrid design, and if it doesn’t include a “plug”, I’m not interested.
07/17, 10:27 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
CarCrazy-and-16,
Ford borrowed its initial hybrid technology from Toyota when it launched its first Hybrid SUV (Escape)five years ago. Since then they have used their own
Also Toyota has most the entire Lexus line offered as Hybrids while GM has has “mild” hybrids for their brands in cars like the Malibu Aura and the Vue “Greenline” before the two mode was available.
It is interesting that Ford isnt giving Mazda thie hybrid tech but maybe Mazda doesnt want Fords technology. In Nov Ford reduced their share in Mazda by 20% and the next batch of midsize Fords wont ride on the CD3 or GG Mazda platform.
07/17, 10:28 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Correction :
Toyota has most of the Lexus line offered as Hybrids while GM has has “mild” hybrids for their brands in cars like the Malibu Aura and the Vue “Greenline” before the two mode was available.
07/17, 4:41 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
No, Ford NEVER borrowed any technology when coming up with their OWN system. They borrow some minor and one or two major parts from Toyota due to the fact their system in development was so similar to Toyota’s.
07/18, 5:18 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Jd
Toyota makes money now on all Hybrids
The cost of building a Prius powertrain has dropped 75% since the first ones 10 years ago
DrFill
07/19, 11:47 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Fill- Car manufactorers have very funny accounting. But when they say we are making money on hybrids, they mean the hybrids that don’t have “conventional drivetrains” as their comparible model. For example, Ford builds an Escape Hybrid and a Escape V-6. When examining the profit line on the 2, Ford says they make $3200 dollars more on the V-6 model than on the Hybrid model. Therefore, they lose money on the Hybrid model. One could say they make money on each, but thats not how the accounting department sees it. So when Toyota says they make money one Hybrids, they mean the Prius, that has no other drivetrain than the hybrid one. When they compare the Highlander v-6 to the Highlander Hybrid its a different story.