Self driving has been in Science Fiction for decades. Look at the movie, "Total Recall" (the good one, not the remake) and the Johnny Cab. In a lot of story's, the protagonist often has an older vehicle that either doesn't self drive or it can be turned off.

 

With the explosion of these young chickies blabbing on their cell phones while driving I’m beginning to warm up to self driving cars. At least for some people.

 

Upon further digging I learned some interesting stuff about Mazda. Several years back, Toyota's interest in Mazda had grown quite substantially. Some estimates have Toyota owning as much as 20% of Mazda. They have a partnership that includes sharing an assembly plant in Alabama and Mazda has been using Toyota engine and transmission technology. Indeed, Ol' Grouch is correct in that Mazda's image has been rising. Certainly, Toyota's influence couldn't hurt.

 

I've got some really loud horns on my truck. I've seen the phones fly out of their hands before. I remember following a driver leaving one of the local Universities who was weaving all over the road. After he nearly side swiped a lifted truck, the truck owner hit his horns. Railroad horns aimed to the left side. The phone flew out of the weavers hand and into traffic.

 

Now there's a valid point...... I wonder which is more dangerous though.

The horn in my truck is downright embarrassing. I won't use it. It sounds like someone choking a chicken......

 

Toyota and Mazda share components and component production. They are in a partnership but Mazda is wholly owned by share holders. When they separated from Ford, it was Mazda all the way. As for sharing, lots of components get shared. My '96 Ram uses the exact same brake caliper (same part number) as my old '93 GMC 2500. WE ran Toyota lift trucks for years where I used to work. We went with Lisle (Porshe) when GM dropped the 4.3 industrial engine Toyota put in our 7000 pound lift capacity trucks.

Through the years, sharing has been common. Ford diesels used International engines. Back before WW2, a lot of car companies used Continental engines. Dodge has used Cummins engines for years. Diamond Star motors was a common production of Chrysler and Mitsubishi. GM and Toyota have had cars they both sold under different names. Maxda has had some issues lately because of weak castings on some of the 2.5 turbo motors. Something I don't think Toyota has had trouble with. Outside of that, Mazda has got really good QC discipline.

 

The Japanese have been very disciplined for a long time. Probably the best work ethic in the world. Doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything. Nothing special about Nissan or Mitsubishi (cars anyway). But generally Made in Japan carries some weight. And to think we laughed at that back in the 60s.

I believe Toyota has had some interest in Mazda for some time but that interest has grown in recent years.

I think Toyota provided the drivetrain on some Pontiacs awhile back. Perhaps other GMs.

 

Some GM cars were rebadged Toyota's. I think the Pontiac Vibe was a Toyota under the badges. The Chrysler and Dodge Conquest was a Mitsubishi Starion under the badges.

 

Most of the "Geo" line of cars were actually Toyotas. (back in the 90's.....)

 

Geo's were a collaboration between Toyota and GM. Like Diamond Star Motors was a collaboration between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. In both of them, there was a mix of parts, engineering and production facilities.