Mazda dumping Ford hybrid tech for Toyota tech?

The Ford inspired Tribute hybrid

By 2013 or so, Mazda will seek to sell about 100,000 hybrid vehicles per year using a hybrid system provided by Toyota that will include batteries, motors, control units, etc according to GreenCarCongress.

In the past Mazda has developed hybrids with Ford, but that original Ford technology included licensed Toyota hybrid technology, so it isn't that odd that Mazda would seek such a relationship. It will, however, be interesting to learn whether this hybrid technology will continue to be based on NiMH battery technology, or whether it might also include lithium technology.

Regardless, Toyota believes the relationship will help make Toyota's hybrids cheaper.