This will reduce costs
Future Mazda models will use new automotive software and hardware developed jointly with Toyota and share a common operating system.
Two Japanese car manufacturers will collaborate on the development of a future system to significantly reduce costs. The on-board systems will include a common operating system, an electronic control unit and wiring harnesses. Nikkei Asia adds that battery-electric vehicles produced by Mazda from 2027 will have on-board systems that are 90% identical to those used in Toyota models.
Some car manufacturers and auto parts suppliers spend up to $2 billion a year on software development. Mazda believes that by working with Toyota, it will save hundreds of millions of dollars annually and can reduce development costs by 70–80%.
Toyota and Mazda have been working together for several years and joined forces in 2015 to share powertrain technologies. Their partnership has strengthened in recent years to the point that the current Mazda 2 is very similar to the facelifted Toyota Yaris.
CEO Masahiro Moro said the company aims to have seven or eight electric vehicles in its lineup by 2030.