Mazda opened to new joint projects with Ford, says r&d boss
By Andrew, 10 Sep, 2010. 0 Comments
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Talks are ongoing between former alliance partners Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. over ways to cooperate on programs in the future. At a recent press event, Seita Kanai, Mazda's top r&d chief, said that there have been discussions about r&d and that they are “studying various possibilities." Kanai revealed that he meets monthly with Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product czar, to discuss joint-venture programs to find out where there is "low-hanging fruit" for both companies. It was in 1979 that Ford first took an equity stake in Mazda. In 1996, Mazda was brought under Ford's control as it struggled to survive. This relationship lasted 30 years and included the co-development of pickups, platforms, engines and SUVs. In late 2008, Ford wanted to free up cash and it reduced its controlling one-third stake in Mazda to 13%. Ford now owns about 11% of Mazda. [via autonews - sub. required]
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