Is the Mazda made by Toyota?
No. Mazda is not made by Toyota. Mazda is an independent automaker, though the two companies maintain a strategic alliance that includes mutual shareholdings and a joint manufacturing venture in Huntsville, Alabama.
Independent brands, intertwined through a strategic alliance
Mazda and Toyota operate as distinct companies with their own product lines. They formed a long-running partnership in the 2010s to collaborate on technology, engineering, and purchasing to reduce costs and accelerate development of hybrids and electrified drivetrains. The relationship is defined by cooperation, not ownership, meaning neither brand is simply a Toyota product.
The core elements of the alliance
- Cross-shareholdings: Toyota holds a minority stake in Mazda, and Mazda holds a smaller stake in Toyota, signaling a strategic partnership without ownership of one company by the other.
- Technology collaboration: joint development of powertrains, hybrids, electrification strategies, and shared engineering expertise.
- Manufacturing and footprint planning: coordinated production capabilities and joint ventures to optimize supply chains.
- Product planning alignment: coordinated platform and model development to leverage shared technologies across both brands.
In short, the alliance strengthens both firms without making Mazda a Toyota subsidiary; ownership and control remain separate.
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama
The joint venture Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, LLC (MTM) operates a production facility in Huntsville, Alabama. It is a 50/50 partnership designed to manufacture vehicles for North American markets under both brands, leveraging shared platforms and supply chains.
Here are some factual details about the plant:
- Location: Huntsville, Alabama, USA
- Ownership: 50/50 ownership between Mazda and Toyota
- Start of production: began operations in 2021
- Initial product: Toyota Corolla Cross for North America
- Future plans: potential expansion to additional models and ongoing collaboration between the brands
The MTM plant represents a concrete example of the alliance, enabling shared manufacturing capacity in the United States while keeping Mazda and Toyota as separate brands with distinct lineups. Mazda models still originate from Mazda’s own global production network, but MTM underlines how the partnership can influence vehicle availability in North America.
What this means for consumers
For buyers, the Mazda-Toyota alliance means continued access to advanced technology and efficiency improvements derived from shared development, without converting Mazda into a Toyota product. Consumers should expect ongoing collaboration on electrified and hybrid technologies, potential platform sharing, and a manufacturing footprint that can provide more diversified supply for North American markets. The distinct identities and model lineups of Mazda and Toyota remain intact, with cooperative advantages shaping future vehicles from both brands.
Summary
Mazda is not made by Toyota. The two companies are separate automakers that cooperate through a strategic alliance, including cross-shareholdings and joint manufacturing in the United States (MTM in Huntsville, Alabama). While the alliance enables collaboration on technology and production, Mazda vehicles continue to be built by Mazda, not by Toyota, preserving each brand’s independent identity for consumers.
Does Toyota own any Mazda?
Toyota owns roughly 5% of Mazda, and Mazda owns a portion of a percentage of Toyota.
Is Mazda using Toyota engines?
Yes, some Mazda models, specifically the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid, use engines from Toyota. The non-hybrid versions of the CX-50, however, are equipped with Mazda's own Skyactiv gasoline engines. This is part of a broader collaboration between Mazda and Toyota that also includes shared manufacturing and future engine development.
- Hybrid models: The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid uses the same hybrid system as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
- Non-hybrid models: The standard CX-50 uses Mazda's own Skyactiv gasoline engines.
- Shared manufacturing: Mazda and Toyota have a joint manufacturing plant in Alabama where they build both the CX-50 and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
- Broader collaboration: The two companies are also collaborating on the development of new advanced gasoline engines designed for hybrid integration and future lower-emission technologies.
Are mazdas made with Toyota parts?
While it's true that both the Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-50 roll off the same production line in Alabama, the vehicles themselves are entirely separate in design, engineering, and component sourcing.
Which Mazda is made by Toyota?
The Mazda CX-50 is the Mazda model built in a joint venture with Toyota at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama. This plant also produces the Toyota Corolla Cross on a separate assembly line. The partnership includes shared engineering and manufacturing, and the CX-50 hybrid uses a Toyota hybrid system.
- Location: The Mazda CX-50 is produced at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Shared manufacturing: The MTM plant is a joint venture where both Mazda and Toyota build their respective vehicles, the CX-50 and the Corolla Cross.
- Shared technology: The partnership also involves sharing technology, which is evident in the CX-50 hybrid, as it utilizes a Toyota drivetrain.
