How do you break into the booming hybrid car market? Well, you might as well learn from the best – and that’s exactly what Mazda plans to do as it turns to green car leader Toyota to boost its development into the sector.
According to reports in The Nikkei, the Toyota Motor Corporation will supply core components for a hybrid vehicle from the Mazda Motor Corporation beginning as early as 2013 in what is seen as the first full tie-up with a rival.
The Nikkei states that under the alliance, Toyota will provide batteries, control units, motors, and other components made by group auto parts manufacturers. This plan calls for Toyota to supply the components as a bundled hybrid system and on top of taking revenue from Mazda the company should also reduce costs for components used in its own hybrids by improving economies of scale.
It is expected that Mazda will then apply the Toyota components in midsize passenger vehicles and that it is targeting sales of 100,000 units a year. In the past, Mazda has worked with Ford on developing hybrids but they were only sold on a trial basis.
The report suggests that negotiations are in the final stages and an official announcement is expected soon.
