Quote:
Originally Posted by zabolots
Wow, they must really be panicking and in need of cash. They get a lot out of their cooperation with Mazda and it's likely the only thing of value that they have left to sell.
I'm quite concerned about the future of the domestic auto manufacturers.
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I am too and I agree with this sentiment. Mulally always made it seem like selling their stake in Mazda was NOT on the table in any form. Selling off their stake must mean things are REALLY bad over in Dearborn.
I think this would be a huge mistake. Ford is becoming more and more integerated - thank GOD - but they still utilize the manufacturing methods and the expetise at Mazda. Spinning them off could really really hurt future platform developments, etc.
As for who would be interested in taking a stake, Honda comes to mind. Honda has continually said they want to be independent and NOT be merged with another company. But they have show they are interested in taking stakes out in other companies like what they did with Rover back in the day.
As a medium sized company, they certainly do not benefit from economies of scale like larger manufacturers do. They could possibly be interested in Mazda.
Same would hold true of Mitsubishi, Fiat, or a few other comapnies I can think of.