Mazda, Subaru, Toyota to Make Decarbonized Internal Combustion Engines

Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) Subaru Corporation (Subaru), Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) said today in a joint release that each is committed to developing new internal combustion engines tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality. “This process has clarified the role that future engines will play in achieving carbon neutrality. With the next generation of engines, the three companies will seek to not only improve stand-alone engine performance but also optimize their integration with electric drive units, harnessing the advantages of each,” the Japanese automakers said.

This begs the question about further joint development and sharing of EV components and software. AutoInformed readers might remember that it was the exclusion of Toyota from the Partnership of New Generation Vehicles – whose goal of the 80 mpg car never was produced by the Detroit Three despite lavish taxpayer subsidies – that prompted Toyota with solid Japanese government support to developed the first practical hybrid vehicles. (AutoInformed: Toyota Global Hybrid Sales Exceed 10 Million)

Left to right – Subaru Corporation Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO. Tetsuo Fujinuki, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO. Toyota Motor Corporation – Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO. Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO. Mazda Corporation – Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO; Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO.