I guess Mazda never got around to rebadging a few Ford Escape Hybrids for sale as Mazda Tribute Hybrids, LOL.

I would think that Mazda would have ready access to the Power Split Device drivetrain technology because of their partnership with Ford-- Their Mazda 6 sedan shares the same platform as the Ford Fusion. Would have been easy to make a Mazda 6 Hybrid by dropping the Ford Fusion Hybrid's drive system in there.

2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Pricing and Information

Actually, they did, but they're very difficult to find.

Mazada may be still be using Ford tech. The rumors in the article make sound more like they are looking for parts from Toyota.

My read of this article, that may need to be amended as more information is forthcoming, is that Ford's "home grown" hybrid technology... isn't. I suspect Ford is bound by agreements with Toyota that prevent them from sub-licensing to other manufacturers.

An alternative explanation is that Mazda simply prefers Toyota tech over Ford. How much of Mazda is Ford owned these days ? I vaguely remember Ford selling a fair amount of shares a year of two ago to raise cash. Who bought them ?

Ford probably doesn't have a broad licensing with Toyota that they can only use the HSD components in their own brand, so Mazda must take out a separate license.

Google knows. It was 'strategic business partners'.
Ford Sells $540 Million of Mazda Stock to Ease Crunch (Update3) - Bloomberg.com

That sale dropped Ford interest in Mazda from 33% to 13% -- still quite a bit, but not a controlling interest. That said, the two companies still like to do stuff together ..

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090430-700093.html
Joint factory worth about $500M

More rumors on this:
FT.com / Companies / Automobiles - Toyota to supply hybrid parts to Mazda

I love the Mazda lineup, fantastic vehicles.

Then it seems maybe they should approach Paice since Paice is the inventer of the key electronic components of the HSD and owns the rights.

Paice sued Toyota for patent infringement and lost. The jury awarded $25 per car. Toyota refused to pay. They were found in contempt and Judge Folsom as part of the sanctions quadrupled the jury award to $100 to be paid by toyota until the patent expires. It's a compulsory license under court order.

Pretty sure that anyone else who wants to use the HSD will get nailed by Paice for a license.

I will too !
Once they plant the Toyota HSD in 'em.

.

Toyota and Mazda have reached an agreement. Toyota will sell assembled HSDs to Mazda for 2013 Mazda hybrids.

Toyota to supply Mazda with hybrid parts

I think Ford is maxxed out on it's hybrid components, especially the batteries. With the Escape, Fusion and some Tributes it can source only so many components. The Fusion hybrid is limited to 25,000 units annually. Where is Mazda going to get it's parts? Ford to Mazda, 'Sorry Pardner, I'm flat broke.'

It looks like it's mainly for the JDM also.

What's kinda interesting is that (as I posted at http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-h...nic-buys-50-2-stake-in-sanyo-4-6-billion.html), Panasonic has bought a 50.2% stake in Sanyo which supplies batteries for Ford hybrids. Hmmm...