Toyota and Mazda Enter into Long-term Partnership [News]

2016 scion ia debut at the 2015 new york auto show
The 2016 Scion iA, seen here at its New York Auto Show debut, is built by Mazda and is based on the upcoming Mazda2.

Toyota and Mazda announced today that they are entering into a long-term partnership that will go “beyond cooperation.”

Although neither company has released specific details about the partnership, they said in a press release that the partnership will “create a whole new set of values for cars through wide-ranging medium to long term collaboration.”

A joint committee will evaluate each company’s strengths and determine how to best integrate them into the partnership.

Speaking on the partnership, Toyota President Akio Toyoda praised Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology and KODO design, while Mazda President Masamichi Kogai recognized Toyota’s innovation and community involvement.

Mazda and Toyota have worked together in the past. Toyota licensed its hybrid technology to Mazda, and Mazda produces cars for Toyota at their Mexico plant, notably the Scion iA, which shares a platform with the upcoming Mazda2.

Check out this TFLcar video review of Mazda’s excellent Mazda3:

And here is more on the Scion iA from the 2015 New York Auto Show.