ASH8

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=a9Wq2sQpqXpc

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i really hope they stay together in the loop / building / design process.

they really together get it!

beers

Benjamz

ford cars are good because they use zoom zoom platforms.

did you guys see the top gear episode on the ford fiesta, its sweet. the fiesta has a diesel overseas, i pray they bring the diesel here because ill buy one for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_KIqdS1SO0

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

sounds like they will be maintaining a good relationship at least

arghx7

a lot of Mazda owners have bashed the Mazda-Ford relationship in the past.

CarAndDriver

Sounds like the relationship is open to continuing to work together, but also leaves it open to developing technology separately or working with other partners.

m477

That's because in the past there were many reasons to bash Ford. Such as the Mazda Navajo, or the fact that Ford shut down Mazda's plans for an OBD-II FD, killed the RX-01, and denied the possibility of bringing the massively improved 1999 (series 8) RX-7 to the North American market.

CyberPitz

How did Ford do that? Not being argumentative, I'm genuinely curious.

Symbioticgenius

Good Riddance.

Razz1

After they stole their design and good engineering................


No longer necessary to keep them around.

That's what big conglomerates do.

RXLogic

Sooo, you don't think Mazda will have any more designs worth stealing? I don't think that's it. Ford no longer has a controlling interest, and Mazda is therefore free to take some of their own chances.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

10% is still hefty.

isnt buying 5% of a rival company considered a hostile takeover?

m477

Ford had controlling interest of Mazda from 1995 until just recently, during that period Mazda needed their approval in order to develop and release products. Even the RX-8 would not have been made had Mazda engineers spent their own time getting the project to the point where they could pitch it to Ford -- other than the suicide doors, it's basically the RX-01 which Ford had already shut down.

IIRC, this was discussed in detail in the Yamaguchi RX-7 book, but there was definitely talk within Mazda of re-introducing the FD in 1999. I believe their reasoning was that since they were already making such extensive changes, meeting US emissions certification wouldn't be that much more work. I'm not sure exactly how much of the actual decision was Mazda or Ford, but I think it's pretty clear that Ford would not allowed it in any case, considering how much trouble it was for Mazda to finally get their MSP-RE based sports car to market.

j_tso

It's actually in Yamaguchi's RX-8 book. One of the bean counters' from Dearborn first order of business was asking Mazda "How soon can we stop selling the RX-7?" It took a big push from a guy from Ford UK, Leach, to get approval for the RX-8. Leach even wanted to see Mazda back at Le Mans. That's a cliff's notes version, anyway.

Ford should just bring over their UK models as they're doing with the Fiesta and just keep the Dearborn people in the truck department.

ASH8

Frankly I am glad Ford have been sidelined, yes they were good for Mazda, financially, BUT..

I have just never liked the association...I don't like Ford and never have...just like I don't like GM...it goes back to the rubbish they call "a car" 25-30 years ago, yes they have got better, but I don't care how good they might get they are still a CRAP brand....I will add Chrysler to this also....

Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, even Honda (Japan) just get on a do it (dare I say even the German's)...the US brand cars just BS too much.....I can never "trust" them.

ASH8

Yeah..like me...you know why...Ford learnt and need Mazda WAY more than Mazda needed Ford....ALL Mazda really needed was support (money).

Mazda engineers would run rings around Ford....still do....for the Money.

Earl the Pearl

Yeah I agree with this. My opinion is that Ford learned a lot from Mazda which is why their vehicles have been improving. Mazda in turn received the cash it needed to develop new platforms. I would guess they will continue to work together in some form but now not be subject to Ford's bean counters.

ASH8

More updates...

"Lewis Booth (Ford) explains that, though in the past Ford was more dependent on Mazda, “now, it’s a little more two-way than it was."

Apparently Ford has relied on Mazda for a lot more than Mazda has relied on Ford.

Mazda have done all the production line designs at their new Thailand plant, and Ford are copying their line design at the new US Focus line...

Mazda are showing FORD HOW to Build Cars....

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/for...appy-together/

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...ant-from-Mazda

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/200...2961260911641/

MattMPS

after reading the three links i have still a lot of fears about finances of Mazda....

there are coming tough times around the world and Mazda is too big for niche player an too small for a global player...



i cross the finger for a big success with future products.....

ASH8

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/476...m-cooperation/

josuar88

^WOW gotta love Ford and there way to steal designs but way to go mazda you sellout lol

zoom44

Ford didnt steal the design they paid Mazda to design the Bplatform that both cars are built on AND they paid them to design the assembly line

those pics must be from the new joint plant in Thailand

ASH8

Charlie is on the money...again...

However, I must say that over the years FORD has gained a lot more from Mazda than the other way around and Ford virtually admit this, particularly multi-model production line expertise, layout, SOP, using the Mazda 323 as a Ford Laser, Mazda 626 as a Ford Telstar here (Australia/Asia), etc.

zoom44

not virtually actually have said so. Fields knows this himself since he's part of the Mazda Mafia . Lewis Booth and Derrick Kuzak (Ford Global Product chief) both said it in the recent articles.

m477

Trick question, they're both Mazdas.