Mazda And Toyota: A Global Relationship For Sportier Cars

Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto has a strong liking for motorsports. In fact, he even competed in an entire season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup, which recently concluded last August. Globally, Toyota also has a strong relationship with Mazda, and here in the Philippines, this couldn’t be any truer as he raced at the third leg of the Mazda Fan Festa 2025.

Driving a Mazda MX-5 Spec Series cup car with the number 64, Hashimoto-san zoomed through Clark International Speedway to experience the thrill of an open-top rear-wheel drive (RWD) sports car. But apart from last weekend’s spectacle between Mazda and Toyota, did you know that this kind of relationship is more global than you think?

Mazda And Toyota’s Alliance

Did you know that back in 2017, Toyota and Mazda entered into a business and capital alliance? The agreement was the result of two prior years of collaborative and deliberate discussions, intending to jointly develop technologies for electric vehicles (EVs), connected-car technology, advanced safety technologies, complementary products, and even form a joint venture manufacturing plant in the United States.

Some of the most prominent and tangible results of this partnership can be found in the United States, one of the biggest markets for these two Japanese automakers. Though Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), this production facility is the home of Mazda CX-50 and Toyota Corolla Cross production in the United States.

In fact, both models even share colors from each of their own paint selections. The Corolla Cross has Mazda’s signature Soul Red Crystal option, while the CX-50 can be painted in Toyota’s Cypress Green. Also, the CX-50 received the RAV4 Hybrid’s fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS IV), helping Mazda speed up its hybridization plans for the North American market.

Going deeper into the technical side of things, Mazda and Toyota, together with Subaru, also have a three-way relationship in the pursuit of creating even more efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs). With the common goal of treating “carbon as the enemy”, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru have been working to release more compact engines, whilst also being compatible with electrification technologies and carbon-neutral fuel sources.

In Mazda’s case, these goals are set to be achieved with their upcoming Skyactiv-Z engines. These engines will be in the next-generation MX-5 and upcoming hybrid CX-5 with an in-house Mazda hybrid system. Skyactiv-Z employs the Lambda 1 combustion method, whose 14.7:1 air-fuel ratio is maintained throughout the entire rev range, which means that this engine will emit even less carbon dioxide than previous Skyactiv engines. An engine with Lambda 1 is already on sale today in the form of the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid.

Trackside Friendliness

With both Mazda and Toyota heavily involved in motorsports, the two companies engaged in numerous friendly banter on and off the track, both in Japan and globally. When Mazda celebrated its 100th anniversary on January 30, 2020, Akio Toyoda wrote this letter in support of the Hiroshima-based automaker. Toyoda-san posted this letter at Toyota Times, the official media platform of Toyota Motor Corporation, commemorating the strong relationship between the two brands.

“Upon forming a partnership with Mazda, when I visited Hiroshima, I was guided to a test course instead of the president’s office.

The passionate talks about making cars are still etched in my memory, including the chats we had when we rode in each other’s companies’ cars under the theme of “Jinba ittai(unity of horse and rider).”

It was a moment when I understood that Mazda is a company with love and passion for cars, one that has been seriously focused on the joy of driving and has continued to think about how to establish a happy relationship with cars, but one with people at the center.

Last year, I was honored to be asked to be a driver at the 30th Media Roadster 4 Hours Endurance Race.

The venue was filled with smiles from spectators and participants who loved the Roadster and enjoyed cars. The race is one where Mazda lends cars to participants, which they use to compete, but the drivers and mechanics who are the last to participate in the race polish their cars with feelings of deep gratitude.

It is a place where it seems as though everyone is constantly smiling, expressing gratitude to each other.

It’s really amazing that such a culture has continued for 30 years. It was truly an honor to have been part of an event that has built this culture over time.

“Be a driver.”

This phrase, used at the venue, means that building cars centered on people, and holding an activity rooted in a deep “love for cars,” means that you should never make a car boring.

I was delighted that we formed a partnership with Mazda. This was like gaining an enthusiast “friend” who absolutely loves cars. As companies, both Mazda and Toyota share a common desire to seriously pursue mobility with ”love,” and to build a future mobility society that can make human life even more enriched and more enjoyable. The fact that we have a relationship that allows us to share these feelings has made Mazda an invaluable “friend”.

There is no doubt that the people in its hometown of Hiroshima will join the festivities and proudly celebrate Mazda’s 100 years milestone. Mazda was one of the first to resume production in Hiroshima, making auto-tricycles, only four months after the atomic bomb was dropped. Their quick action helped contribute greatly to the region’s recovery. With great persistence, Hiroshima has rebuilt itself from scratch.

Mazda worked arduously to rebuild its hometown. It is a partnership. When Hiroshima suffers, Mazda becomes the light, and when Mazda suffers, Hiroshima supports Mazda. The two companies, who have survived day by day alongside each other, are now invaluable “friends.”

In my opinion, the relationship is based on mutual gratitude and respect.

In this once-in-a-century transformational period, cars do not exist on their own, but only insomuch as they are connected to society. Since we are in such an era, I believe it is very important that the hometown and the company have a relationship that fosters gratitude toward each other.

I sincerely hope that Mazda and Hiroshima will continue to have a relationship that allows them to say “thank you” to each other for the next 100 years.”

Akio Toyoda also has a motorsport involvement with Mazda when he was invited to be a driver at the 30th Media Roadster 4 Hours Endurance Race. In Japan, Mazda has the marketing tagline “Be a Driver”, and after driving the MX-5, he realized that Mazda’s tagline is reflected in all the cars that the Hiroshima-based automaker creates. With a focus on the “jinba-ittai” driving principle, all Mazdas, whether it’s the MX-5 sports car or the large CX-90 three-row SUV, share a similar yet distinct driving feel that prioritizes driving pleasure above all else.

Meanwhile, here in the Philippines, Mazda Philippines President and CEO Steven Tan invited TMP President Masando Hashimoto to race at the third leg of the Mazda Fan Festa 2025. Specifically, he went for a track session around Clark International Speedway. This close relationship between Mazda and Toyota isn’t just applicable in Japan or the United States, but also in the Philippines, where the two companies have a common goal of providing mobility for everyone. Though, in hindsight, it is not just mobility in general, but mobility that enriches lives and touches hearts through cars that are sporty and fun to drive.