Mazda have been saying the rotary is an important part of Mazda. I am sure there were more people in Mazda that thinks that than just Mr. Imaki alone. Maybe the new boss loves the rotary too, who knows.

Stripped of Ford's control, Mazda could be more free with what they could do with their small cars. Maybe finally export a Mazda 2 to US shores.

We will see what this takes us. I personally think that Mazda could do a lot more with their products, yet still retaining the relationship with Ford (all the platforms sharing), they still need each other. Also, the rotary will live on for sure.
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COLORADO MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

 

With Japan's economy at it's current state, I'm afraid any major release of a new rotary engined car might be pushed back.

 

I agree with the above completely. I would think if anyone would try to put a stop to the rotary, it would be the bean counters at Ford. I think both sides benefit in this deal.

 

Mazda didn't stick with the rotary this long to just give it up now. It's their one special thing that no one else has, it's a huge part of what makes Mazda Mazda.

If anything, this is good news for rotaries. Mazda cares a whole lot more about rotary engines than Ford did. If anything I expect them to devote more resources to rotary engine development rather than less.

 

TOKYO - Ford Motor Co. is slashing its stake in Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. by nearly two-thirds, joining other struggling U.S. automakers in selling prized assets to stay afloat.

Ford, which owns 33.4 percent of Mazda, will sell about a 20 percent stake, the companies said in a separate statements.

The sale would net Ford some 52 billion yen ($540 million) based on the closing price of Mazda's shares Tuesday. The shares rose 6.4 percent to 184 yen amid media reports of a coming sale.

Hit by a slump in the U.S., Ford is burning through its reserves and, along with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, is seeking a $25 billion government lifeline to weather the deepening economic crisis.

General Motors said Monday it would sell its remaining 3.02 percent stake in Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. for 22.37 billion yen ($230 million).

Ford racked up a loss of $8.7 billion in the second quarter, its worst ever result, and has used up $11 billion of its cash stockpile in the past year.

Over the last decade, Ford helped engineer a turnaround at once-struggling Mazda, sending executives and sharing technology and auto parts to cut costs.

Hiroshima-based Mazda, which makes the RX-8 sports car and Miata roadster, said the two companies will continue their strategic relationship.

The Japanese automaker said it would purchase the shares sold by Ford along with "several of its strategic business partners."

Mazda will buy up to 6.87 percent of its own shares for up to 17.9 billion yen ($185.3 million) through an off-hours trading system on Wednesday morning.

The company was mum on buyers of the rest of the shares being sold, but media reports mentioned Japanese companies including regional Hiroshima Bank, trading houses Sumitomo Corp. and Itochu Corp., insurance firms including Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. as well as auto parts maker Denso Corp., as purchasers.

 

The rotary accounts for a very small budget in R&D, there is not much to worry I think.

Right now, every automaker is affected by this economy, some more than others, like NA automakers. Mazda has a really strong product lineup, they can make a comeback faster than everyone else. The new Mazda 3 is debuting in 2 days. While I can't say Mazda will dominate their bread and butter categories, but the new 3 and 6 will capture more % of its market for sure.
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Butchitalian

 

Tend to agree, BUT!!
We have to remember Mazda now calls the shots and I doubt their shareholders and bean counters will allow any new model (including rotary) to be born unless there is a solid business strategy to do so.

With Japan in recession (and soon the world) I can only see consolidation and conservative moves.
More than ever Mazda won't want to repeat the 1990's again.
Mazda's stocks also recently took a huge financial dive too, not that far behind Ford.

What I am more certain of is most of the Automotive worlds troubles have stemmed from massively high oil prices, somehow this commodity should not be allowed subjected to speculators.

Perhaps the new President can do something here.

High gas prices have slowed the worlds economies more than anything IMO.

 

WTF!! I planned on buying one in March. I wonder will I be able to still use the Ford A-plan as a discount?

 

Interesting, Denso Corp is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation.

 

Seeing as how it was the big wigs at Ford that put a choke hold on RE development in the first place, I see this as good news.

I don't know if Mazda is hurting as bad as they were in the late 1970s, but now they could put more development to make the RE more fuel efficient and lighter, like they did with the first RX-7.

 

I don't really follow the economic bullshit too much, but wasn't Mazda one of Ford's most profitable lines? And there's talk of Volvo being next?

I'm convinced Ford is definitely going under now in my opinion. 25 bil bailout or not, they're fucked by next year. The Big Three are incapable of properly managing their businesses and finances, and they'll blow through the billions in no time. They shouldn't have even made it past the turn of the century if you ask me.

 

Dude, the whole world is already in recession.... except Canada which is hanging on barely.

In regards to the rotary, alot of folks underestimate how much of a brand recognition it is for Mazda and its resulting Zoom-Zoom factor. Many car companies are still searching for an identity that people can immediately attest to. The Rotary engine is Mazda's signature which is not only unique, but due to proprietary R&D, not easily imitated unlike Volvo's safey, Subaru's AWD, Audi's interior etc....
Thus, I do not see the rotary technology going anywhere. It may slow down, but it will stay.

 

They aren't just going to go away. They'll go bankrupt, restructure, and go on, as will GM and Crapsyler.

 

Australia has had 17 straight years of growth, we are yet to see a recession, but only just.

 

info about who bought how much

http://www.reuters.com/article/innov...4AI60K20081119

 

No, Franz has been a hired gun for a while now, he goes where the money and the action is. He simply got a better deal.

 

heheh.. "The Mazda Mafia"

 

should be a website TheMazdaMafia.com

 

A good read about the Mazda Mafia.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/17/for...markets06.html