Consumers will find a bit of Toyota at Mazda dealerships by 2013. Mazda will become the second manufacturer, after Nissan, to borrow Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology as part of a licensing agreement aimed at leap frogging hybrids into Mazda’s stable beyond the lonely Mazda Tribute SUV. The deal’s details have yet to be released but Toyota’s key hybrid drive components are expected to make the cross over to Mazda’s recently announced, next-generation, direct-injected Sky engines. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius. Leveraging this agreement, Mazda plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY* engine that is currently under development, and develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan. Mazda is aiming to commence sales of a hybrid vehicle starting in Japan by 2013. Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority, TMC began sales of the Prius, the world’s first mass production hybrid vehicle, in 1997. Since then, over 2.3 million TMC produced hybrid vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 70 countries and regions. TMC recognizes the importance of benefiting the environment by encouraging the popularization of its eco-friendly technologies, which are represented by its hybrid systems. Accordingly, TMC has announced that it will consider requests from other companies to supply hybrid technology. Based on its long-term vision for technology development, sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda aims to increase the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015, compared to its 2008 level. In order to offer all of its customers driving pleasure as well as outstanding eco-friendly and safety performance, Mazda is implementing a Building Block Strategy. Under this strategy, Mazda will enhance the core aspects of its vehicles - including engines, transmissions and weight reduction - and then progressively add electric devices such as idling stop, regenerative braking and hybrid systems. Through this partnership, each company intends to offer technologies and products with outstanding environmental benefits to as many people as possible. *Concept name for engines and transmissions that are intended for launch from 2011 onward.

Osamu Suzuki, chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corp. and Martin Winterkorn, from Volkswagen AG, have agreed "to establish a close long-term strategic partnership" with each other. A framework agreement has been signed by representatives of both companies

The new Land Cruiser Prado, a mid-size, authentic four-wheel drive vehicle, continues the tradition of the Land Cruiser brand that is esteemed in more than 170 countries and regions around the world. The fourth generation maintains the outstanding drivability, reliability and basic functionality of the earlier generations, even under the harshest driving conditions, while improving on the on-road and off-road performance that is the Prado’s claim to fame. Specific improvements include a roomier cabin through increased space between the front and second-row seats, while enhancements to the time-tested full frame structure and higher body rigidity make the ride even more comfortable. In addition, the adoption of a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) allows for driving stability at city and highway speeds, and a “crawl control” feature enhances rough-road compatibility. Other off-road driver-support features include a Multi-terrain Select switch to control drive power and braking in line with the off-road environment and the world’s first Multi-terrain Monitor, which displays the road conditions around the vehicle taken by four onboard cameras.

Toyota has agreed to a record $16.4 million fine for its slow response to sticking gas pedals -- the equivalent of a little more than $2 for every vehicle the company sold around the globe in 2009. But the fine, the maximum under the law, could be simply a down payment in the long run. The Japanese auto giant still faces dozens of private lawsuits, which have been combined before a federal judge in Santa Ana, California.Rushing to address new safety concerns, Toyota said it would recall all 9,400 of the 2010 Lexus GX 460s that went on sale in late December, 5,600 that have been sold and 3,800 still at dealers or elsewhere in the distribution pipeline. The announcement came less than a week after Consumer Reports issued a warning about the SUVs, a sharp contrast to the government's contention that Toyota took four months to order its huge recall of other models over sticking gas pedals. For the Lexus recall, Toyota said dealers would update software in the stability control system, which is supposed to help prevent rollovers. Toyota already had halted sales of new GX 460s and began tests on all of the company's other SUVs. The government accused the company of hiding the earlier defects involving gas pedals, a contention Toyota rejected though it agreed to pay the fine. Toyota said it agreed to the fine to avoid a lengthy legal battle but denied the government's allegation that it broke the law. In a statement, Toyota acknowledged "that we could have done a better job of sharing relevant information within our global operations and outside the company, but we did not try to hide a defect to avoid dealing with a safety problem."