UPDATE: OFFICIAL Mazda out of Flatrock by 2013
 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...e=domesticNews

Official

Mazda to stop building midsize car in US

Mazda 6 Walks Out On Michigan, Ford Plant, Next One Made In Japan

not surprised, consider their marriage is gone. Now the Japanese is back in control of course they want to get rid of Ford's root ASAP.

Mazda will lose even more money if they keep the joint venture running with Ford. it's not even at 1/2 its capacity.

official answer of Mazda Motor Co.

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/relea...06/110603a.pdf


In Response to Media Reports
Today’s news reports regarding AutoAlliance International, Inc. (AAI), a joint venture with
Ford in the U.S., is not based on information released by Mazda.
Mazda and Ford are jointly studying various possibilities for AAI, and we have nothing to
announce at this time. We do not comment on speculation.

that means someone got a big mouth and "released" info ahead of time.

either way, its not a bad thing for Mazda. but of course they have to deny "rumors/speculation," typical PR move.

Told you this will happen MONTHS ago...and it WILL happen..

Mazda manufacturing in the US is finished for the time being and believe me when I say this the relationship has soured considerably with FORD..in fact anything to do with Ford.

In actual fact, FORD have been nothing but complete ass holes to Mazda since controlling interest was sold by Ford.

If Mazda could end their relationship with the new BT-50 In Thailand they would....believe me.

^^agreed.

Ford is so full of it cuz they are the "only" big 3 which never need a bailout.

To me , if they were that good they didnt need to sell mazdas shares and other assets to cover their ass.

Whatever, they will fail eventually. Mark my words.

I like Ford. I won't buy one but the company is on strong footing worldwide.

Paul.

Of course I like Mazda more but for illogical sentimental reasons :rollingla, but they will continue to get my money.

Paul.

it "seems" that GM is coming back strong too :Drooling_

I hope I don't have to see another bs bailout but ... who knows ... :(

tell me about it :Freak_ani

You old SOFTY!:naughty:

Ford never borrowed from the bailout...never. I like Ford for what it is, but being a joint venture with Mazda...i think, it's a mistake. Ford made money with a weak economy. On the other hand, Mazda didn't. From what i think, Ford didn't really helped Mazda improve their sales and tactics from a weak economy. I could be wrong, but hey...

I know they didn't, they were about to though.

Both somewhat helped each other, Mazda got cheaper parts by sharing platform, Ford learned a few things from the Japanese, including "how to design/create good looking COMPACT cars"

we will see if the separation/divorce is the right move in the future.

Mazda to stop building midsize car in US

Mazda 6 Walks Out On Michigan, Ford Plant, Next One Made In Japan

Snap

makes the official denial of a day or so ago a bit foolish

well actually their denial was true from a certain point of view. they're ending mazda 6 production there when the time comes but they havent officially decided what to do with the joint venture yet.

The UAW attitude is running all sorts of manufacturers out of the U.S.
That was partly why I left Ford/UAW and the IBEW.
Plus, I think Bill Ford is focused on the wrong things and Alan Mulally (sic) was who kept Ford from needing TARP money. Long before anyone else saw it coming.

Yes Charles...

I recall Bill Ford applying for capital (loans) from anyone who would consider or listen, even the 'blue oval Ford' logo was put up as collateral. The money market said there was nothing left in the 'equity jar' for Ford to borrow against.

No other option to sell assets, like Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mazda, Range Rover and Volvo.

Yep, Ford came close but they just managed their way though it...just..

ok, now things are getting more "interesting"

I think they said they will end the current "oversized US version of Mazda6" by next year.

So that means any 2013 model should be Japan made. Oh yeah ~ and I'm sure it will comes with at least Sky-G, or even better, Sky-D.

oh yeah ~ yeaaaAAAAAA ~

so happy that Mazda is aiming for a "clean" break up. I hate seeing "ForMo" parts inside my 3.

bye bye Ford, I will not miss you :)

Yep, you will see all the new Sky's and in Diesel..

BUT, more importantly you will see the return of a 6 Wagon and 6 Sedan, the wagon in particular everyone was missing..

Plus, perhaps even better now IMO you will see Mazda's quality-reliability-customer satisfaction improve to a market position similar the the rest of the Mazda's world.
I have always thought apart from the 'dealer experience' this US made 6 was not good for their reputation.

June 3, 2011
Mazda Motor Corporation
Corporate Communications Div.
In Response to Media Reports
Today’s news reports regarding AutoAlliance International, Inc. (AAI), a joint venture with
Ford in the U.S., is not based on information released by Mazda.
Mazda and Ford are jointly studying various possibilities for AAI, and we have nothing to
announce at this time.
We do not comment on speculation.

June 3rd release is OLD news...

2011.June.07 From Mazda Japan Media site..

Next Midsize Car for North America To Be Built in Hofu, Japan
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the company will build its next midsize car (CD-car) for the North American market at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, as part of ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies.

"Currently, production of the Mazda6 (known as Atenza in Japan) exists in three locations: at our Hofu Plant in Japan, AutoAlliance International (AAI) in Michigan, USA, and at FAW Car Co., Ltd. in Changchun, Jilin province, China. Our intention is to transfer production of our next CD-car for North America from AAI and consolidate it at Hofu in order to improve production and investment efficiencies and optimize our business," said Takashi Yamanouchi, Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation. "The decision was made after carefully assessing all risks and opportunities, including global needs, changing demand in North America, and exchange rate exposure. Going forward, Mazda will strive to maintain and grow our business in America.

"The decision to relocate to Hofu and consolidate the production of the next CD-car, makes the most sense for our business," stated Mr. Yamanouchi. "However, we are committed to working with Ford, our joint venture partner in AAI, to identify potential future opportunities for the plant. Mazda and Ford have enjoyed a close relationship for over 30 years. We have collaborated on projects where there are mutual benefits, and both companies remain committed to continuing this strategic partnership."

The current North American Mazda6 will continue to be built at AAI until the end of its current cycle plan. Mazda is conducting various studies with Ford on the future of AAI and will announce details at the appropriate time.

AAI was established as Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Corporation in 1985. It became a joint venture between Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company in 1992, when the name was changed to AutoAlliance International, Inc. Since production commenced in1987, the facility has produced over 1.7 million Mazda vehicles, including the Mazda MX-6, Mazda 626 and the Mazda6. Mazda6 production began at AAI in 2002, and to date the facility has built over 500,000 units. The Mazda6 went on sale in 2002 as the first of Mazda's new generation products to personify the Zoom-Zoom brand message, and it has continued to gain a strong following ever since.

1) We were all embarrassed at the time.
2) Pretty obvious but Bill didn't get it and Alan hadda be the one to do it.
3) Because they shed poorly performing assets and raised cash.

Bill Ford is there only because of lineage. We who work/worked for Ford knew that and he hasn't the fortitude to be anything but a cheerleader for the company. Once Ford got rid of Nasser, things got better.

Mazda6 wagon was never a big seller in america. They didn't even market it much.

Let's just hope that the quality will be better, I like my Mazda3 a lot, the quality is pretty good for that price point. 95% parts from Japan.

No but from what I have read it was a steady one...internet chatter is always crying about why they did not have a wagon in 2008...and how good looking the GY 2006 wagon was/is.

Current one we have here is a great looker, one of the best in the market.

The only reason the US did not get a wagon was tooling and cost.

Not everything can be a big seller:eyetwitch