Toyota, Mazda to Strengthen Eco Tech Tie-Up

Nagoya, May 9 (Jiji Press)--Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> and Mazda Motor Corp. <7261> are in the final stage of talks to expand the scope of their alliance in the field of environmentally friendly technologies, informed sources said Saturday. Mazda is considering acquiring Toyota's technologies related to fuel cell vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, in addition to hybrid vehicle-related technologies that it has already obtained, according to the sources. Toyota, for its part, is eager to use Mazda's unique Skyactiv fuel-saving technologies to expand the lineup of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel vehicles, they said. By strengthening their mutually complementary relations, Toyota and Mazda are hoping to survive the intensifying eco-friendly technology development competition. Toyota has been the green technology leader in the industry, releasing mass-produced gasoline-electricity hybrid and fuel cell vehicles ahead of other automakers. Meanwhile, Mazda has its forte in the technologies to improve the fuel efficiency of conventional gasoline and diesel engines. Amid many countries toughening environmental regulations, the two Japanese makers find it important to share technologies in the fields where each of them has been excelling. In 2013, Mazda released the hybrid version of its Axela compact sedan, the automaker's first hybrid model, developed based on the technology licensed by Toyota. Meanwhile, Toyota is set to launch the iA gasoline subcompact in the United States in the autumn, its first model supplied by Mazda under an original equipment manufacturer agreement. Toyota started selling its Mirai fuel cell vehicle in December last year and decided to release part of fuel cell vehicle-related patents it holds for free, in a bid to create a "Toyota camp" to promote the ultimate eco-friendly vehicles that emit only water. By bringing Mazda into the camp, Toyota hopes to lead the global fuel cell vehicle market, industry people pointed out. The envisaged deal with Toyota will benefit Mazda in that the company can clear cost and manpower problems in developing its own fuel cell vehicle and keep concentrating its management resources on making clean gasoline and diesel engines to meet new environmental regulations, they noted. END