Ford might have sold off the majority of its investment in Mazda, but executives from the two automakers say that the companies plan to continue working together on developing advanced technologies, if not directly sharing platforms.
Until recently, Ford owned a controlling share in Mazda and the two companies shared development of the majority of their mass production vehicle platforms. Both automakers introduced similarly priced rivals in North America, the Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta, based on the same Mazda-developed platform at the Los Angeles Auto Show earlier this month. The two cars will go head-to-head in the entry-level segment that offers few rivals – a unique positioning for the two brands that have otherwise competed only in bigger segments of the market.
“The strategic relationship continues. The business relationships continue. And they continue on the basis that they’ve always continued,” Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth told The Detroit News this morning. “Where it works to the benefit of both companies, we do things together, and where it doesn’t, we don’t.”
Mazda is simply too small to succeed as a mass market competitor to Ford or Toyota, the automaker admits, so it will remain dependent on Ford for powertrain technologies. It remains unclear if Mazda and Ford will continue to develop vehicle platforms together, however.
“Our strategic alliance will remain intact,” he said. “Ford will remain an important partner for Mazda.” said Mazda board member Masaharu Yamaki.
