Just days after news about the seemingly stressed, but intact relationship between Ford and Mazda was released, new information coming from Japan suggests that Mazda is looking to establish ties with Toyota in order to secure hybrid vehicle technology and parts.
As one of the smaller players in the global auto market, Mazda is faced with attempting to be competitive with large players such as GM, Fiat, Ford , Honda or Toyota , but with a budget about 1/8th the size of Toyota’s.
The result of this competitive disadvantage is likely seen in the long-standing relationship between Ford and Mazda, which only recently has begun to come undone. Ford’s current financial situation has caused Ford to divest itself of several assets that it had otherwise hoped to keep – such as a controlling interest in Mazda. Now that Ford has significantly reduced its stake in the Japanese automaker, Mazda is reportedly looking to Toyota to step in and provide crucial hybrid technology in order to remain relevant in the U.S. market. In addition to the hybrid technology sharing with Toyota, Mazda is also readying more efficient powertrains in-house for 2011.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s leading English newspaper, is reporting that Mazda has officially reached an agreement with hybrid technology leader Toyota. The deal will reportedly provide Mazda with crucial hybrid drivetrain components such as electric motors and control systems for an unnamed hybrid that Mazda intends to bring to market in 2013.
In the past Mazda had leaned on Ford for its limited hybrid involvement, as evidenced by the Mazda tribute hybrid SUV – sharing many parts and systems with Ford’s Escape hybrid.
