Paul,

Mazda breaking away from Ford?

I don't have a source, this was on the Ford Yahoo Stock Message board this
a.m....

Anthony


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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: 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.


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That is interesting. I suspect it is the Japanese family that owns most of
Mazda stock.

Mazda can do it. They have done it before.

Paul Lamar

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Yep, that was done months ago. And now Ford is selling Volvo to the Chinese

Bob Mears

That might come back to bite them :)

Paul Lamar

I think it safe to say that selling anything to the Chinese will come back
to bite you in any industry, in this particular point in industrial history.
I think it is also painfully clear to everyone here, that tough choices have
to be made when turning a great slow juggernaught, like an automotive
manufacturer. Ford has still to shed capacity, and unprofitable operations.
Volvo may be a great innovator in safety technology, but it is consuming
capital , not generating revenue. The Chinese are the only ones with the
cash in hand, and Ford needs that to preserve the core brands. Cut off an
arm to save the life....
Lots of simplification in that observation, but in a nutshell.
C. Smith