Toyota & Ford Discuss Partnership

[Xeper]

December 26, 2006
Report: Toyota and Ford executives meet to discuss partnership






Top executives from Toyota and Ford met in Tokyo recently to discuss a potential partnership between the companies, according to a report by Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Article continues: http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/12/26/report-toyota-and-ford-executives-meet-to-discuss-partnership/

[Xeper]

Didnt see this anywhere else, sorry if its a repost.

Anyways... what an unholy alliance!

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Out of all people talking I would never think these two.

[BrickTamland]

Well, Ford has not figured things out for a few years now, so I guess they need to have their hand held.

I wonder if such a partnership happened, would it see the improvement of Ford or the degredation of Toyota?

[throwback]

I found this article on Automotive News. Desperation breeds strange bedfellows. Carlos will not be happy.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...7/1003&refsect=

The chief executive of Ford Motor Co. met with the chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. as the first step in potential partnership negotiations, the Japanese business daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun said today.

The newspaper reported in its online edition that Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho met last week. The meeting was also attended by Ford Executive Vice President Mark Fields, who is in charge of restructuring the automaker's loss-making North American operations, the newspaper said.

[Angry Dad]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Well, Ford has not figured things out for a few years now, so I guess they need to have their hand held.

I wonder if such a partnership happened, would it see the improvement of Ford or the degredation of Toyota?

"degredation of Toyota"?

After the Scion XB?

IMO, it all goes back to the games that have been played with the American economic system by outsiders. Yes there has been manipulation of currency values. yes there has been dumping, yes there have been closed borders for American goods. No there has not been any action from any political entity on anything to level the field or in my opinion, the lack of any leveling has been well financed.

[throwback]

This would help Ford and give Toyota additional cover on their way to becoming an "American" car company.

[SUPERBADD75]

i can't imagine why Ford called this meeting. what's wrong with the Mazda connection? not to mention that unless they're trying to trade some truck expertise for some help with their cars, Ford doesn't really have much to offer Toyota. and even if that's the case, the new Tundra is done, so Ford wouldn't have any bearing on that for several years. i can't see these talks going anywhere.

[throwback]

Originally Posted by SUPERBADD75

i can't imagine why Ford called this meeting. what's wrong with the Mazda connection? not to mention that unless they're trying to trade some truck expertise for some help with their cars, Ford doesn't really have much to offer Toyota. and even if that's the case, the new Tundra is done, so Ford wouldn't have any bearing on that for several years. i can't see these talks going anywhere.

I can think of several reasons Ford called this meeting.

1. Ford needs to dump factories. Toyota needs factories.
2. Ford wants to catch up in fuel cell technology.
3. Ford wants to improve their purchasing clout, buying parts with Toyota gives them scale.
4. Toyota has great small car platforms, something Ford needs world wide.
5. Ford is desperate, why not approach the biggest (in dollar terms) kid on the block?
6. Platform sharing on future models would keep costs down, especially if they bring Mazda into the mix.
7. Toyota knows a good PR move when they see it.

[LeSabre]

Originally Posted by throwback

This would help Ford and give Toyota additional cover on their way to becoming an "American" car company.

Toyota will NEVER be an American car company ever. Toyota was founded in Japan & will ALWAYS be a Japanese car company. Period!

as to this possible partnership, I am against it happening. I rather see Ford & GM be partners!!

[montrealvue]

Toyota would have NOTHING to gain from such an alliance. Ford wanting to partner with Toyota is sorta like your deadbeat junkie brother wanting another $20 to go get high under the underpass.....

[FoMoCo Fan]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

Toyota would have NOTHING to gain from such an alliance. Ford wanting to partner with Toyota is sorta like your deadbeat junkie brother wanting another $20 to go get high under the underpass.....

Toyota needs the plants Ford is closing. Simple as that. I don't think we're talking about a "merger" like the Nissan/Renault/GM talks. I agree Toyota would want none of that.

[Realist]

I don't see what would come about from such an alliance, but I am not surprised, given the admiration and respect Alan Mulally has for Toyota's production methods and the "Toyota Way".

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by throwback

I can think of several reasons Ford called this meeting.

4. Toyota has great small car platforms, something Ford needs world wide.

I guess Ford might use it as a plan B, even if a deal was struck with Fiat to built the next-gen Ka based on the upcoming Fiat 500 platform

7. Toyota knows a good PR move when they see it.

I could also add #8. To tell Ghosn to (censored).

[LeSabre]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

Toyota needs the plants Ford is closing. Simple as that. I don't think we're talking about a "merger" like the Nissan/Renault/GM talks. I agree Toyota would want none of that.

If Toyota wants more plants to build their crap, they can build their own plants!!