Ford no longer has a stake in Mazda? What does that mean for the future RX series? I thought Mazda needed the cash that Ford injected in order to help make new product.

Yeah, Mazda needed that cash...in 1979, 1980s, and 1997.

Ford reduced it's holdings to 13.6%, and Mazda recently bought back another 6.8% of that, so Ford still has a 6.8% stake, but yes, they have agreed to stop sharing technology for now.

And it has no impact on future rotaries, since I am not aware of a single crossed technology from Ford to Mazda on the rotaries.

Mazda brought the chassis and suspension, Ford brought the engines, and Ford doesn't touch rotarys.

Currently, Mazda and Ford are both doing quite well compared to the average manufacturer, and neither has a risk of going under. Both have projected a return to profit earlier than expected next year.

Don't panic :)

There is a thread on here about future relationship. Sounds like both are leaving it open to working with each other as well others.

they really need to, it's all win now days to mutually share between corporations.

For accuracy sake: Ford had increased it's share to 33.4% which gave it controlling rights by Japanese Law (More than 1/3). What they sold was 20% of Mazda, of which Mazda bought 6.8%. That leaves Ford with a 13.4% stake in Mazda. Some of the 20% was bought by partners of Mazda including Sumitomo Bank, Bridgestone and Panasonic to name a few.

Paul.

Thanks for the correction. My mistake on that.

For accuracy sake: Ford had increased it's share to 33.4% which gave it controlling rights by Japanese Law (More than 1/3). What they sold was 20% of Mazda, of which Mazda bought 6.8%. That leaves Ford with a 13.4% stake in Mazda. Some of the 20% was bought by partners of Mazda including Sumitomo Bank, Bridgestone and Panasonic to name a few.

Paul.

And since Mazda's recent float of new shares raising a $billion Ford's share automatically falls (ratio) to now 11%.

Sumitomo Bank has been one of Mazda's LONG term Holders, goes back to the Toyo Kogyo Co. Ltd days and the Matsuda Family.