Toyota and Mazda May be Looking to Expand Their Relationship

2016 Scion iA (Credit: Scion)

According to a report from Automotive News, Toyota and Mazda are looking to expand their relationship beyond the scope of the Mazda2 and Scion iA. The report claims that the two are also working on a deal that would involve them sharing their fuel-saving and emission-cutting secrets with one another.

Toyota has mastered the art of the hybrid car, and is well on its way toward becoming a leader in hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCV) with the Mirai. Mazda, on the other hand, has perfected the refinement of current technology to squeeze every mile from a gallon of fuel. Be it gasoline or diesel, Mazda’s SkyActv technology does more with less than most other fuel-saving advancements. Thanks to high compression ratios, lightweight materials, and tight tolerances, Mazda has pushed the balance of performance and economy about to its limits with its SkyActiv technology.

The one area that Mazda has fallen behind is in alternative fuels, but it’s not because of lack of interest. According to the Auto News report, Mazda has been attempting to create its own FCV, but has yet to have much success with it. Collaborating with Toyota, who is set to release the first mass-produces FCV, would be a great way to speed up this process.

For Toyota, Mazda could share its advancements in building supremely efficient vehicles without loads of expensive technology. This could help boost the performance and the range of future FCVs, giving Toyota and Mazda quite the leg up on what most experts consider the most logical replacement for the internal combustion engine in the near term.

According to Nikkei business daily, the two have yet to officially ink the deal, but it’s expected to happen soon.