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Ford Motor Company (F) has had a long relationship with Japan's Mazda, and the two automakers have shared technology, manufacturing and automobile platforms for decades now. That, however, may soon come to an end. Ford has signaled its intention to design and manufacture by itself in the future. This isn't necessarily bad for Ford, but it's a crush to Mazda.
Ford, the only U.S.-based automaker that not only did not take a government bailout, but is overall doing quite well, wants all its engineering investment to be solely its own, according to Ford Americas President Mark Fields. As Mazda goes it alone, the Japanese automaker may find it hard to introduce new models. It will have to conceptualize, design and manufacture them on its own.
This is yet another good step for Ford. Since hiring former airline executive Alan Mulally three years ago (with a hefty pay package that seems to have been worth it), Ford has been making all the right moves lately. Its Fusion and Focus small cars are selling incredibly well and are on par, quality-wise, with anything in their respective classes.
Ford and Mazda may continue small-car development together in the future, according to Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi. But, in all reality, this is the end for Mazda. Competing on its own with the likes of Toyota and Nissan won't be even close to easy -- and those are just its domestic competitors.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-09-2009 @ 10:11PM
edward.p.cory said...
Sad day indeed.. especially kind considering more than half of the most popular Fords are sitting atop the Mazda 6 platform.
12-10-2009 @ 2:19AM
MADDAT52 said...
Watch out for the fed Ford, it's not your fathers Democratic party.
12-10-2009 @ 4:27AM
al coholic said...
To me Mulally deserves any bonuses he receives. He brilliantly acquired that huge line of credit at precisely the right time. Ford looks to be in position to be the leading US vehicle manufacturer for some time to come.
12-10-2009 @ 11:00AM
Mike O said...
This sounds bad for Mazda in the short term, but could be good overall. Mazda makes great cars and can simply partner with another automaker or act like Suzuki and start developing more of their own tech.
Ford doesn't need Mazda since they are moving towards global platforms. The Fiesta, for example, was developed in Europe and will likely be pretty successful in North America when it arrives in 2010.