A recent report suggests that Toyota will be using Mazda’s fuel-efficient Skyactiv engine to its Yaris sub-compact car. The all-new Toyota Yaris will get Toyota-designed sheet metal on the outside but Mazda’s high-compression, fuel-injected Skyactiv petrol engine under the hood.
The production for the all-new Yaris is expected to begin after April 1, 2015 at Mazda’s newly-opened assembly plant in Salamanca, Mexico. The factory will allocate about 50,000 vehicles for Toyota from its full annual capacity of 230,000 units.
Toyota is no stranger to using engines from other manufacturers. Its 86 sports car uses an engine from Subaru-builder Fuji Heavy Industries, and its Verso minivan gets a diesel engine from BMW AG. Meanwhile, the Lexus LFA sports car, which ended production in 2012, was powered by a V10 engine from Yamaha Motor Co.
According to the report, the usage of Mazda’s Skyactiv engine may help Toyota to burnish the appeal of its sub-compact offerings as it would be one of the few direct-injection engines offered by Toyota. Currently, there are a few Lexus nameplates, the 86 and some Japan-market Toyota sedans, such as the Crown, using direct-injection unit.
For Mazda, it means maximizing economies of scale at its Mexican operation. It also allows Mazda to promote its Skyactiv technology as the powerplant for a well-respected rival.
Other the other hand, Mazda has yet to release full details of the next-generation Mazda2, but it is expected to enter production in Mexico on the second half of this year. The company has began producing the Skyactiv-equipped Mazda3 sedan and hatchback at the site in January. It is expected to arrive in our local showrooms this month with the official launch date slated at 19th March 2014.
