zoom44

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/...0News/2613387/

but they swap for a vp who will run relations between the 2 companies

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

after Ford unloaded a chunk of their stock in Mazda, it was only a matter of time.
you see this as a good or bad thing Zoom?

CarAndDriver

Personally, I thought Mazda provided more technology than Ford provided to Mazda. Not sure how much financial assistance Ford provided especially these past few years when Ford was bleeding.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

^ i wish the sync system transfers into mazda! that system is AMAZING! we have it in our mks and its really really a good interface fast system its one of the best if not the best i would rate it better than the bmw nav/interface in our 550 ...

MattMPS

IMHO industrial relationships between the two companies will remain....

Why keep the 13% of stock of Mazda?

bse50

Especially considering the amount of platforms they share here in europe...
The Mazda2\Fiesta will still be in production for the next what, 5 years?

iwc3707

Don't forget the cuv - cx7 and edge. If I was in the market for a cuv- I would look at these for sure.
As far as the b2000 and tribute *ugh* badge engineering at its worse.

MattMPS

this is a potentially weak point.

Ford USA have officially announced that the future ford/mercury/lincoln based on Mazda6 platform will be based on the EUCD Ford's platform (see Ford Mondeo) an no more on the Mazda CD3 platform
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...dsize-platform

Next-gen Mazda6 (+cx-7, MPV, Cx-9) cant' share the platform w/ford models

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

I think a separation will definately hurt both companies.
Ford seems to be an a good turnaround, and mazda's hot sellers are cross platform ford/mazda cars. It seems they have one of the better us-jpn commercial ideas that don't confuse the customer. Mazda's are mazda's and ford's are ford's, that's how the public sees it, and that's great. 2/fiesta - 3/focus/volvothing - the 6 is built alondside the Mustang in Dearborn. You don't get the ford/mercury blurry lines. Both companies seem to be going in different directions but that is usually better for both in intelligence sharing. Money is not wasted in simultanious R&D ventures. IMHO.

MattMPS

+1

Mazda is looking around IMHO. Not for a BIG partner , but for small and dedicated partnerships

zoom44

Mazda has already dropped the B2000 and will drop the Tribute soon.

The CX-7 isnt actually on the same platform as the edge. The Edge is on the CD3 but the CX-7 is actually mostly the C-1 platform of the Mazda3/Mazda5 with the A pillar forward being from the MPV, especially the front suspension. A wholly Mazda Platform.

The CX-9 is on the CD-3.

As for the Fiesta/Mazda 2- thats Mazda's platform. They did the development of the new B segment platform for the whole Ford group. So no matter the relationship they wont have any issues using it- its theirs

ASH8

Personally I have mixed feelings on all of this, and yes I know Ford's association goes back 30 odd years, but if Mazda's current share offer goes well (which it probably won't) it could reduce Ford's slice to 11%.

As we know it was Mark Fields (Ford) and other Ford Chiefs who got Mazda back on track.

Mazda's always has this habit of stuffing up a good thing they go Very Conservative, IMO there are too many "traditional workers promoted" because of their loyalty for years worked, the Japanese don't promote Youth very well...

I really hope Mazda does not go Back-wards yet again, in the mid to late 70's they were Japan's 3rd largest Auto Maker ahead of Honda, even Suzuki are making more cars now than Mazda.

Frankly Mazda has relied too much on their rotary it will always be a limited seller from now on, with the RENESIS they have Completely ruined ANY good will they had with a New Generation of Rotary owners...yet again.

I would really like to know why the North American market has been such a poor performer for Mazda, their growth really has been mediocre to pathetic when compared to every other market.
China is about to sell more Mazda's than the US, and they have only been there for about 7 years!....not 40!.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Very good points. I'm not excited about buying Mazda stock at the moment because I don't feel like I understand their vision. What is Mazda and how do they plan on surviving if not thriving in this tough economy? What is wrong with Mazda in the US market and why is the 2 only just coming?

They've always done well with a little Foreign input. Finding that right balance is important. Also good riddance to Van Den Acker and his countrymate. Mazda does not need designers that bow at the alter of Bangle.

Paul.

ASH8

http://scoop.chrysler.com/20565/indu...t-development/

Mazda, Ford go separate ways on product development

Posted Monday, Nov 2, 2009

Less than a year after Ford Motor Co. halved its stake in Mazda Motor Corp., Mazda is embarking on a more independent product development path, the Automotive News reported.

Seita Kanai, head of Mazda research and development, says there will be fewer joint projects, such as the shared platforms and drivetrains that the carmakers worked on during their 30-year equity tie-up, the trade publication said. Kanai’s comments offer fresh insights into how Mazda and Ford are going their separate ways now that Ford no longer holds a controlling share in its Japanese partner, the Automotive News said.

In November 2008, Ford cut its stake in Mazda to 13 percent from 33 percent, the paper said. Mazda promptly jettisoned two of the three Ford executives on its board to reflect Ford’s diminished stake—and influence, the article noted.

The Ford-Mazda partnership is cited often as an example of a successful international alliance of automakers, the paper said. Ford first took an equity stake in Mazda in 1979 and brought Mazda under its control in 1996 as the Hiroshima carmaker struggled to survive. But by late last year the tables were turned, and a cash-strapped Ford sold a large part of its stake to raise capital, the story said. (Automotive News)

fyrstormer

My family has owned four Mazdas over the past 20 years and we've been happy with every single one. Their strategy has never been unclear to me: make the car perform on-par and feel much better than its competitors, with feature packages that people like me care about. I don't WANT them to appeal to a broader audience, because then they will most likely not appeal to ME anymore. The vulgar masses can buy all the Fords and Hondas and Toyotas they want.

playdoh43

Ford is just turning it self around, the Fusion had better reliability rating than camery and accord in the newest consumer report. Ford catches a lot of flak on the internet, but people dont realize how good mazda have it in sharing a lot of cost with ford. Ford has some nice engines, including the new V6. If I'm mazda i wouldnt want to be left alone battling the likes of toyota honda nissan and now a very strong hyundai in an increasingly competitive global market.

ASH8

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...Spender-retire


Phil Spender to now "retire" from Ford when he leaves Mazda Japan later this month.

88dblifestyle

I agree with you.. As of now I think Mazda has a higher rank in terms of sold cars. Most people can afford Mazda than Ford.

ASH8

http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/11/05...t-development/

Ford’s implementation of in-house developed platforms and phasing out of Mazda’s platforms.