Toyota's new subcompact will use Mazda's Skyactiv engine

[Hershey]

Years ago we owned a '86 Chevy Nova ( Corolla ) with a 3 speed auto . We were told by a transmission specialist that the Nova tranny is Mazda . Not sure if that was the case , did find it interesting . That tranny went on for 260,000+ miles and could of went further if the engine didn't go . I would have tranny fluid changed at around every 35,000 miles . Also used Slick 50 for it , the shifts were smooth .

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Hershey

Also used Slick 50 for it , the shifts were smooth .

Slick 50 .... now there is a blast from the past!

[why?]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

There's certainly a possibility that the transmissions will be shared. Would make sense to mate the same transmissions with the same engine across models. Remember also that the platform itself is being shared.

You do have to wonder why Toyota is going this route in the first place. Toyota sells more small cars world wide than any other company. There's numerous options for Toyota to use for a North American subcompact. They would "simply" need to outfit a factory in the US or Mexico or even Canada to build it. Building the Yaris in Japan and shipping it here is why it makes no money. Why would they need to use a tiny company (compared to Toyota) to build their subcompact? I'd expect this to be the other way around (Toyota building Mazda’s subcompact).

Yea, but Mazda already had the factory and the ability to make the engines. That is cheaper than building an entire new factory, plus Toyota has shared parts with almost every single other car company at one point or another. I'm surprised they are even bothering though, it would make more sense to keep the Corolla and the Prius C as the bottom of the line. That is unless the new car's price can go back to reasonable again.

[toad]

interesting...i had an old mazda 323 many years ago that i loved! i would totally buy a toyota/mazda conglomerate.