Mercedes to base next-gen A and B-Class on Toyota MC platform?

Toyota's small-car prowess is rapidly being recognized by some of the giants of the automotive industry, including Aston Martin, which is building a re-styled iQ for its own brand. The next to borrow from Toyota could be Daimler, if the latest word from Germany holds true.

The next-gen A-Class and B-Class small cars could be based on the Toyota MC platform, according to Auto Motor & Sport. Why would Daimler and Toyota concoct such an alliance? Efficiency, of course.

Or as it's termed - often ominously - in the industry, 'synergy'. Toyota has a lot of production capacity for small cars in Europe, and Daimler has a need for new, quality underpinnings for the next generation of its smallest nameplates. It's estimated that Toyota could build about 9 million cars annually in Europe, but is only expected to push out about 6.7 million this year.

Sounds like a perfect fit, right? It even fits with long-running reports that Mercedes is looking for a partner for its next-gen compacts.

The MC platform is the same one that underpins the Lexus RX, Lexus ES, Toyota RAV4, Camry and Highlander. That level of flexibility means it might just be possible to put a lot of Toyota into the Daimler cars without any of it shining through to the naked eye. This flexibility could be especially beneficial given Mercedes' desire to expand its A-Class and B-Class into a new family of compact vehicles, including a crossover-like model and several others.

Power for the next-gen A-Class and B-Class will still be delivered by Mercedes engines, however, so fans of the premium small cars need not fear the loss of all Mercedes personality should the deal move forward.

Check out our previous coverage of the next-gen A-Class and B-Class for more details on what to expect of the potential Daimler-Toyota partnership, a possible roadster variant and the potential for U.S. sale.