After a two-year discussion, Toyota and Mazda have found the right agreement to kick off a new partnership. The agreement - which may be strengthened in the future, as the two companies have announced - is based on cross-shareholdings, on the development of electric technologies and vehicles and on a joint investment of $1,6 billion to build a new factory in the USA.
In detail, Toyota will acquire at the beginning of October new shares issued by Mazda for an amount of 50 billion yen (385 million euros), which correspond to a stake of 5,05 percent. Mazda in turn will invest in the capital of Toyota to acquire 0,25%.
From an industrial point of view, the American site should be operational in 2021, with the creation of 4 jobs. Mazda, which currently has no factories in the United States and imports cars from Mexico and Japan, plans to manufacture SUVs and 4×4s there, while Toyota will assemble the Corolla sedan, for an annual capacity of 300 units. In addition, the two groups plan to jointly build electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.
Finally, Toyota and Mazda intend to explore the field of connected technologies and advanced safety data to reduce traffic accidents and in the perspective of autonomous driving.
The news of the new plant was liked by Donald Trump, who as always entrusted his comment to Twitter.
Toyota & Mazda to build a new $1.6B plant here in the USA and create 4K new American jobs. A great investment in American manufacturing!
- Donald J. Trump (@ realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2017
