Report: Ford Seeks To Sell Mazda Stake; Mazda States No Decision Yet

[FierySolstice]

Ford should not sell it's stake in Mazda. Instead they should kill the Mercury brand and have Mazda as their sport brand between Ford and Lincoln. That makes more sense. Newer buyers are more likely to buy Mazda than Mercury. If they still consider selling it, if GM could buy it I think they should to have a Japanese brand under their fold. It would be a hell of a lot better than getting Chrysler and Dodge.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Ford should not sell it's stake in Mazda. Instead they should kill the Mercury brand and have Mazda as their sport brand between Ford and Lincoln. That makes more sense. Newer buyers are more likely to buy Mazda than Mercury. If they still consider selling it, if GM could buy it I think they should to have a Japanese brand under their fold. It would be a hell of a lot better than getting Chrysler and Dodge.

Agreed.

The problem is that Ford views Mercury as a cash cow. It is a brand solely based on rebadged products...which means more profit. Mazdas are examples of good platform sharing. Most people wouldn't realize that the Fusion and Mazda6 are based on the same platform since they have 100% unique exteriors and interiors. That cost more money to design. Where the Fusion and Milan are clearly cousins.

I see the Fusion/6 as on the same level as the Camry/ES350 in terms of differentiation.

Ford would be crazy to dump the brand and sell it to another company.

[Fast1996Impala]

Ford cannot sell Mazda and Volvo. They both have positive reputations (Mazda is well known in motorsport, Volvo for quality and safety). Ford would lose valuble R&D and some Indian or Chinese car maker could possibly run them into the ground (Think about the Chinese MG's and now Tata selling a $2500 car and a $60,000+ Jaguar. The economy is killing the automotive industry and people are making stupid decisions and I hope things pick up quickly or else the automotive world is going to be even worse off than the late 70's/early 80's.

[Fusion2.3H]

Every day that goes by I am feeling less interested in the automobile industry.

[RangeRover]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

What are you talking about? Through Mazda Ford has the Fusion, Milan, MKZ, Edge, MKX, Escape, Mariner and Focus. They share engines and transmissions with Mazda (albeit Mazda tweaks the Ford engins for better performance) and they share many other under the skin parts. Over the past year Mazda has had some great sales success with their line up that is not dependent on trucks. The Mazda3 and Mazda5 have been huge sellers for Mazda. Not to mention the Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 which are some of the best CUVs on the market...also sharing Ford parts.

How does this contradict anything that I said in my previous post? All of the platforms that you have mentioned are already slated to move to global platforms that are not Mazda related. The common parts shared are mostly Ford parts not vice versa. Mazda develops and engineers there cars in Japan and do not actively participate in Fords global product development efforts. Also, As Ford moves into small cars and ups there styling/sportiness, where does Mazda fit?

I understand that Mazda makes great cars but they have poor financial controls and do not make money on their product. They also have questionable product placement in there home market. The only true money maker for Mazda is the Mazda3. Mazda has a small share of the US automarket. This would be more of a sentimental loss than one that truly impacts Ford's it's competitiveness. I love Mazda and hope Ford keeps there stake. They were one of Ford's smartest acquisitions. Unfortunately, times are tough and Mazda is not critical to Ford's success. Those are the facts!

[GMusa]

Stupid move! Mazda is probably Fords best brand!

[PA Dweller]

Wow really stupid, Mazda is a keeper.

[mikesright]

In any case, I believe Mazda and Ford will continue their partnership on some level. However, this rumor makes a lot of sense, cash is king in this credit-averse economy right now, and Ford will need to stockpile as much as possible to survive the downturn, like anyone else.

[steve333]

Originally Posted by RangeRover

I don't think this is all that bad of an idea.

Ford has already gotten there worth out of Mazda. Ford is moving to global platforms with chassis development in Europe for cars. Did everyone on GMI forget that Ford has excellent platforms in Europe??? Also, Mazda already uses Ford powertrains and other Ford parts when it is convenient for them. Currently, Mazda does not develop engines anymore and Ford - Dearborn is the global lead for powertrains. So...what is Ford losing by selling Mazda?

Also, Mazda is the hardest Ford division to reign in. They are hard to get commonality with and their supply base is inconsistent with Fords. They have been allowed to operate too independently from Ford and this could get them sold.

The Fiesta is based on the Mazda 2 and the Euro Focus is based on a Volvo platform. Without the two of them, Ford will have to develop their own platforms and Mazda has more experience with small platforms than Ford, at least when it comes to good platforms.

[xjken]

I have a Dodge Daytona Turbo Z in the garage and a Jeep Cherokee and a Mazda 6 in the driveway. They may all have different parent companies (or no parent companies) in the not to distant future. Man these are wierd times.

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by genjy

It's not that surprising coming form the company that wants to sell Volvo and revive Mercury.

Yeah, and people knock GM for their business decisions. Revive Mercury? Sort of like saying Buick will grow in North America....lol

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Stupid move! Mazda is probably Fords best brand!

Mazda is Ford's only successful venture this decade, bankrupcy for Ford wouldn't be far behind if they do this.

[Caleb02]

well volvo has been reviewed and now mazda. I guess ford needs cash more then a crackhead after payday.

[doh]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Stupid move! Mazda is probably Fords best brand!

Kinda what I have been thinking og GM, "How can they mak more money while selling off profitable assets?"

Mazda is too close to what Ford needs right now, but where is the Euro Focus? it is the Mazda 3, where is the Fusion SVT? It is the Mazda 6 Spee.

I looked at a Mzda 3 a week ago, (it is strange here because we have no import dealers) but it looked like the size of a Fusion, and so so much better that a 08 Focus.

Transfer some of that Zoom Zoom Zoom, over to your Ford Sister.

Ford/Mazda relations are a perfect example that GM/Chrysler relations would work if done right. Platform sharing can work, if it is done right.

[DaJudge]

Originally Posted by steve333

This would be a huge mistake, and bad for both companies. As stated, Mazda offers Ford car platforms that have transformed their products into class leading or very competitive cars.
For Mazda it would be bad also because those who want a Japanese car but not feel bad about it went with a Mazda because they knew Ford would benefit.
Ford should keep both Mazda and Volvo, IMO.

Ding,Ding, Ding. I have always thought of Mazda as a Ford.