Tension Between Mazda and Ford?
There may be tension within the ranks of Mazda. Apparently some in the Mazda camp feel that Ford has stunted its Japanese partner’s own growth in the US. Among the sporting element in US operations, there was disappointment that not enough was done to keep the RX-8 competitive, especially when Ford’s less-expensive and much faster retro Mustang hit the scene and undercut the rotary sport coupe.
Of larger concern, Mazda only has a single hybrid in the US–a rebadged Ford Escape. Previous reports on the blogosphere have stated that the Mazda6 sedan will not receive a hybrid option for fear of intruding on the Fusion’s turf. Mazda has also wanted to bring its Mazda2 subcompact to the States, but there was worry that it would conflict with Ford’s Fiesta campaign.
agony and the ecstasy the free download
3 Comments
This is a false argument now that Ford only has a 13 percent stake in Mazda. First of all, the RX-8 was an underpowered, oddball, gas-hog to start with. Unless you’re really into it’s outstanding handling, why wouldn’t you go for the Mustang?
And regarding the hybrids, even at the corporate level until very recently, it seemed Mazda expressed very little interest in them. Now that they’re essentially an independent company, there’s nothing stopping them from going their own way in terms of R&D and product development.
The rx-8 is a great car but like all the rotary powered mazdas before it, it suffers from terrible fuel milage and poor reliability that has kept buyers away. If they had only had one little word in their vocabulary I think they would have been wildly more successful than they have been. The word is option, as in engine option. They would still own the sports car and tuner market if they had offered some good piston engines. I’d buy an RX8 in a heartbeat if I could get it with the speed3 motor or the 220 hp V6 from the mazda6.
Well, once Mazda agreed to be controlled by Ford, then all bets were off for Mazda’s US ambitions. Of course if Mazda’s engineering beneifited platform development of certain models like its SUV and passenger cars, then Ford’s increased volume will take away from sales that Mazda stood to gain. Of course Mazda should have recognized that Ford was not for Mazda’s benefit, but soley Ford’s own benefit.
Whether or not Ford and Mazda planned this alliance long ago remains a mystery. What I do know is that Mazda, if they want to thrive in Europe and the US, should not lend its engineering arm to Ford Motors. Which makes me wonder if Ford owned Kia, what would have happened to Kia sales and inversely the affect of Ford sales from Kia engineering assistance.