Toyota And Mazda Are Joining Forces On Electric Cars - And A New US Factory

Toyota is about to confirm a deal with Mazda to co-finance a new factory in the USA, as well as developing platform-sharing electric cars for the next decade
Toyota And Mazda Are Joining Forces On Electric Cars - And A New US Factory

Toyota and Mazda have confirmed a deal that would see each invest in the other and together build a new joint-owned factory in the USA.

The forward-looking manoeuvre would see Toyota take a five per cent slice of Mazda, while Mazda would take around 0.25 per cent of Toyota; the maker of the Prius is a much bigger, much more valuable entity, after all. To buy five per cent of Toyota, whose value is in the region of £130 billion, Mazda would have to pay more than the entire company is worth.

Toyota And Mazda Are Joining Forces On Electric Cars - And A New US Factory

The partnership will have a number of strands, with two we’re most interested in: one based out of a new plant in the US, building Toyota Corollas and Mazda crossovers, and another that would see the two companies collaborate on electric vehicles. Toyota, in particular, has decades of invaluable expertise in hybrids, and is rumoured to be working on seriously next-gen solid-state battery technology for full-electric cars, having intentionally avoided the current tech, which isn’t good enough to persuade the public.

While the factory would, in theory, be active by 2021 and aim to produce 300,000 cars per year, employing 4000 workers, what’s not clear is whether there is a platform-sharing deal in place to allow Mazda’s American faux-SUVs to be built on the same production line as the future Corolla. There could be two separate lines in the same factory, but with an eye on collective costs, a shared chassis would make sense. The two brands have just stated that they’re looking into it.

Toyota And Mazda Are Joining Forces On Electric Cars - And A New US Factory

This isn’t the first time Toyota has partnered with a much smaller Japanese firm. If we need to remind you about the GT86/BRZ project, for example, you’re on the wrong website. The company’s vast success and influence gives its management the feeling that it’s obliged to help its compatriots, particularly the relative minnows, strengthening the Japanese car industry as a whole in the process.

An announcement could arrive at any time, but there is no guarantee that either Toyota or Mazda will release any further useful details. A location for the US factory will be chosen soon.

Via: Automotive News

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Comments

Anonymous

Toyota and Subaru = BRZ & GT86

Toyota and Mazda = ultimate vegan car

08/04/2017 - 08:37 |
55 | 0
Roadster / Tail Red

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Toyota and BMW?

08/04/2017 - 10:53 |
3 | 2
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why does everyone asociate EVs with somethung green friendly and vegan. I EAT MEAT all the time, I HATE the enviroment and I HATE animals. But I love EVs.

08/04/2017 - 11:48 |
13 | 8
Teoman

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Eww hipsters…

08/04/2017 - 13:51 |
7 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Toyota and Honda = ?

08/05/2017 - 01:19 |
0 | 0
luke c

Wasn’t Mazda teasing at potential hydrogen-Rotaries. This deal could potentially lead further into tinkering with hands on stuff later down the line

08/04/2017 - 08:37 |
14 | 0
MikeyFD3S

Hydrogen rotaries coupled with a hybrid system for low end torque….. i can dream

08/04/2017 - 09:08 |
23 | 0
H4R1S_01

We need a hybrid rotary system

08/04/2017 - 09:29 |
5 | 1

Don’t know why you were downvoted, a Wankel could use the torque

08/04/2017 - 14:11 |
2 | 0
welshtoast

[DELETED]

08/04/2017 - 09:39 |
0 | 1
The Silver Paseo EL54

MRD or Toyotaspeed cars on the way?

08/04/2017 - 09:42 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

An Mx-5 derived MR2 gives me the fizz.

08/04/2017 - 09:58 |
1 | 0
Roadster / Tail Red

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Since a MX-5 is a FR car and the MR2 is a MR car, I highly doubt the MX-5 platform would be useful for a new MR2…

08/04/2017 - 10:54 |
1 | 0
Uldis Tas Pats

finally Prius will be a good looking car

08/04/2017 - 12:04 |
1 | 1
shoes357

Mazda gave up on evs and hybrids, made a extra effcient gas engine instead. Then europe says “no gas only vehicles”. Now they are asking for a hybrid powertrain from toyota

08/04/2017 - 13:27 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

Hope for Toyota hybrid expertise and Mazda chassis, but expect Mazda hybrid expertise and Toyota chassis

08/04/2017 - 14:08 |
0 | 0