Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. have agreed to expand their partnership by jointly developing new technologies to make driving safer for both people and the environment.

The agreement Wednesday came as global carmakers face higher costs to comply with stricter emission and other environmental regulations. It will see Toyota and Mazda set up a joint committee to study medium- to long-term cooperation in detail.

Toyota is expected to provide its fuel cell and plug-in hybrid technology to Mazda, which would in return offer the world's biggest carmaker by sales its proprietary SkyActiv technology for fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel engines.