Ford Motor Company has apparently asked Denso, a major Japanese auto industry supplier, if it would be interested in acquiring up to 1 percent of Mazda . Ford owns 33.4 percent of Mazda, but recent rumors have pointed to Ford wanting to sell off its share in the Japanese automaker to raise capital. Analysts say that Denso will seriously consider the request because the supplier wants to increase its business with Mazda.
Japan’s Nikkei business newspaper reported that the number of shares available to Denso, as well as the price to be paid, have yet to be negotiated. Ford has a $1.36 billion stake in Mazda.
Denso is a member of the Toyota Group of companies, a formal group of suppliers that help Toyota, though Denso does supply parts to other automakers. Denso started as a division of Toyota but was separated from the company after World War II.
The newspaper also reported that Sumitomo Corporation and Itochu Corporation are interested in making a deal with Ford as well, though it is unknown whether Ford has made an offer to those companies. Ford is said to have approached up to 30 companies to offer small stakes in Mazda .
