Hybrid Mazotas To Hit the Market Soon? Which Two Japanese Companies Are Partnering Up

Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

Okay, so Mazota is a made up name, but it was recently reported by a Japanese newspaper, Nikkei, that Mazda and Toyota are in the final stages of a partnership agreement that would help produce Mazda hybrids. The announcement of the partnership is expected to come in the next couple of days; it should also include all the specific details. Until then, the Japanese newspaper source did have some news to report on the deal ahead of the release.

According to Nikkei, Mazda pursued Toyota with the specific purpose of looking for parts that would help them complete the hybrid solutions that they are looking to bring to market. Given Toyota’s success in the hybrid market, it is no surprise that one of the proposed bundles is expected to include a fairly comprehensive hybrid solution. The solution could contain batteries, electric motors and other important hybrid components (likely the computer programming, regenerative braking system, etc…).

2008 Mazda Kazamai concept

The more interesting strategic news out of this report is that Mazda isn’t intending on coming out with a compact hybrid first. No, Mazda’s plan is reported as being to manufacture a mid-size hybrid (think Ford Fusion Hybrid). This strategy probably gives Mazda more opportunity for success considering that Toyota’s major success is really in the compact segment, not the mid-size. The situation does bring up another questions however; Why aren’t we hearing about Mazda approaching Ford given the success of the Ford Fusion Hybrid?

It is no secret that Ford and Mazda have be bedfellows since the ‘70s, which lead to Ford’s purchase of a controlling stake in the company in 1996. Then in 2008, Ford abruptly reduced its interest in Mazda Motor Corporation to 13 percent. Even with the lost of control as far as the board, it seems like the Mazda and Ford relationship would make sharing hybrid technology ripe. Ford definitely has the edge in the mid-size hybrid market, so it makes me wonder what gives? Well, according to the Boston Herald, Mazda has been working with Ford on their hybrid development. At the point where Ford reduced their interest in Mazda, it seems that the development process was intern slowed. This is the point where Mazda branched out and started looking for other help.

Bottom line—Mazda is looking to industry leaders to get their hybrid offering out to market. They are also taking the opportunity to help a fellow Japanese company try and reduce the price of hybrid technology by making it more commonplace.

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Source [Boston Herald and AllCarsElectric.com]