When Mazda completely severed ties with Ford back in 2013, we were a bit skeptical of the brand’s future despite it having a great product lineup—and its cars are even better today. Without the economies of scale afforded through shared development costs with Ford or some other large partner, Mazda could find itself marooned, fighting calamitous seas tossed up by larger, stronger companies juggling multiple brands such as Fiat-Chrysler and Volkswagen Group. Right now, a weak Japanese yen has helped bolster Mazda’s bottom line, but without question, the company’s long-term viability requires a suitor—and a sugar company has finally stepped up.
-Following yesterday’s announcement that Toyota would license its hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain technologies to Mazda through at least 2020, the two automakers have announced that they are drawing up a long-term strategic partnership. At first blush, it would appear as though Mazda is getting the better slice of the deal, gaining access to expensive-to-develop alternative powertrain tech, as well as some corporate backup from a far larger company. But Toyota also stands to gain, not least from the engineering excellence that’s birthed the fine-driving, fantastic-looking Mazda 3, Mazda 6, CX-3, CX-5, and the new MX-5 Miata sports car. (The Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 have made our 10Best Cars list two years in a row, as well as won multiple comparison tests; the CX-5 has also won multiple comparos.) Toyota hasn’t been shy about its desire to inject passion and dynamic goodness into its products, and few modern carmakers know those qualities—and how to distill them into well-rounded, desirable, and affordable cars—like Mazda.
-According to both companies, “A joint committee will now be set up to evaluate how best to utilize each company’s respective strengths.” We read that to mean that Toyota will mine Mazda’s expertise in lightweight design, fuel-efficient Skyactiv gas and diesel engines, and chassis tuning, while Mazda will pilfer hybrid and fuel-cell tech, manufacturing expertise, and perhaps some R&D dollars.
--
- -
- 2016 Mazda CX-5 2.5L AWD Tested: Updating Mazda’s Crossover Was an Inside Job
- -
- 2016 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Sedan Driven: Nobody Ever Said Tech Had to be Pretty
- -
- Doom-Doom? Why Mazda Needs a Savior: Everything’s Great—What Gives?
- -
-
The official agreement builds on a Toyota-Mazda courtship that began years ago with the licensing of a hybrid powertrain to Mazda for use in its Japanese-market 3, a.k.a. the Axela, and continued with Mazda’s donation of the next-generation Mazda 2‘s platform and engines—and Mexican manufacturing facility—to Toyota. Oh, and if the new Scion iA looks vaguely familiar, that’s because it’s a next-gen Mazda 2 sedan wearing Scion badges. We’re happy to see Mazda gain Toyota’s vote of confidence, and we look forward to watching the corporate tie-up gestate. After all, who could say no to sportier Toyotas or to Mazda survival?
-from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/1KJAQew
via Agya
