The partnership between Toyota and Mazda might spawn a new car, one that’s going to replace the current Mazda2 sold in Europe. If the rumors are true, then the new Mazda2 could be based on the Yaris Hybrid supermini.

According to Autocar, Mazda wants to put its partnerships to good use and grow its range via collaborations with other carmakers.

The information was apparently extracted from a Mazda presentation attached to the company’s latest financial results and is part of a plan that mentions an “OEM-supplied model based on Yaris THS,” where THS stands for Toyota Hybrid System.

The same outlet reports the new model should kick it on the market in about two years from now and it would help Mazda in meeting the EU’s emission regulations.

Other details of this joint venture at unclear at this point, but the upcoming 2 will most likely be assembled for Mazda by Toyota at the latter’s manufacturing plant in Valenciennes, France, which is also home to the Yaris.

Having Toyota on board with this ticks a lot of boxes for Mazda. On one hand, you’ve got the powertrain sorted out as well as assembly right in the heart of Western Europe, which should in turn shorten the delivery chain. Toyota is still known for making reliable cars, so that would too go hand in hand with Mazda’s expectations.

The Mazda2 was revised back in the summer of 2019 for the 2020 model year so it might spend a couple of years at least in the market before its Yaris-based successor finally arrives.

Powertrain options include a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with either 75 or 90 horsepower on tap and a hybrid setup based on the same mill but paired with a belt-driven integrated starter generator.