Mazda Motor Corp. executives have announced plans to launch a new engine in 2019 that would help them embed autonomous-driving technology in all of their vehicle models by the year 2025.
The new engine, to be called SKYACTIV-X, would be the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to utilize compression ignition. It has been noted to be 20 to 30 percent more efficient than the SKYACTIV-G engine, which is the current engine used in Mazda vehicles.
According to the Japanese automaker, it will begin incorporating electric and electrified vehicles in specific markets that abide by eco-friendly laws in 2019. The markets that will be targeted include those that offer a high ratio of clean energy or restrict certain vehicles in order to reduce air pollution.
The news of the driverless technology installation plan comes after the company announced its plans to join forces with competing Japanese automaker, Toyota Motor Corp. The automaker giants announced their partnership on Friday, August 4th and described their plans to develop electric vehicle technology and build a $1.6 billion assembly plant in the U.S.
The U.S. plant is set to be able to produce a total of 300,000 cars per year, according to a report by Reuters. The plant is scheduled to begin full operations by the year 2021.
Analysts have concluded that the affiliation made between Mazda and Toyota will help Mazda increase its standings in the world of electric vehicle development.
“Mazda needs electrification technology. In the past they’ve pooh-poohed EVs, they’ve felt that they can make internal combustion engines more efficient, but the bottom line is that globally you need to have this technology,” said head of Asia transportation research at Macquarie Securities, Janet Lewis.
Many other automaker giants are following in Mazda’s footsteps to implement driverless technology and be less reliant on combustion engines.
In an effort to reduce overall pollution, Toyota has also announced its plan to produce all zero-emissions vehicles by 2050.
Volvo has also stepped up and announced that all new models from 2019 and on will be equipped with electric engines that comply with European government laws, shifting away from fuel-based engines.
“There are cleaner-car alternatives than they used to be and companies and countries are beginning to realize that hybrids and electric vehicles make a lot more sense now,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, an advocacy group that focuses on automobile fuel efficiency.
Toyota’s five percent stake purchase in Mazda could help both companies reduce their overall operating costs in the long run. By utilizing robotic technology in the factory, it will help each company reduce its dependency on human labor by automating more tasks during the production process.
Mazda and Toyota’s joint-venture will also help create up to 4,000 new jobs once the new assembly plant begins operations.