<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mazda/" rel="tag">Mazda</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/#3"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/ford350op.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011-mazda2/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2000-305.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Click either image above for a high-res gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
While <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/ford-sells-20-of-its-stake-in-mazda/">sold most of its controlling stake in Mazda</a> last November, the two automakers will remain close partners as the companies work together to develop new automotive systems and technologies -- refuting previous <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/report-ford-and-mazda-may-develop-vehicles-separately-going-for/">reports that the two companies may be drifting apart</a>. The announcement comes from top executives at both Ford and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mazda/">Mazda</a>, which have been meeting recently to discuss further collaborations within the industry.<br />
<br />
A strong relationship benefits both automakers. Ford needs Mazda for its insight into manufacturing, product development and its window into the Japanese auto industry. Mazda still relies on Ford for its powertrains (which Ford will continue to provide). The recently launched <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/fiesta">Ford Fiesta</a> and Mazda2, built on a shared platform, are another example of how the two automakers can work together. The cars were originally engineered for other markets and not intended for sale in the States. When Ford's product strategy changed while they were under development, the two companies met and solved the critical design elements together, making each viable for the domestic market. Problems solved, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-ford-fiesta-at-2009-la-auto-show/">Fiesta</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-mazda-mazda2-los-angeles-auto-show-2009-unveiled/">Mazda2</a> debuted at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/la-auto-show/">LA Auto Show</a> earlier this month and are going on sale next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/">2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/">2011 Mazda2</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20091215/AUTO01/912150376/1148/auto01/Ford--Mazda-to-remain--long-term--partners">The Detroit News</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/">REPORT: Ford and Mazda clarify future relationship, still strong</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19282522/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Click either image above for a high-res gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
While <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/ford-sells-20-of-its-stake-in-mazda/">sold most of its controlling stake in Mazda</a> last November, the two automakers will remain close partners as the companies work together to develop new automotive systems and technologies -- refuting previous <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/report-ford-and-mazda-may-develop-vehicles-separately-going-for/">reports that the two companies may be drifting apart</a>. The announcement comes from top executives at both Ford and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mazda/">Mazda</a>, which have been meeting recently to discuss further collaborations within the industry.<br />
<br />
A strong relationship benefits both automakers. Ford needs Mazda for its insight into manufacturing, product development and its window into the Japanese auto industry. Mazda still relies on Ford for its powertrains (which Ford will continue to provide). The recently launched <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/fiesta">Ford Fiesta</a> and Mazda2, built on a shared platform, are another example of how the two automakers can work together. The cars were originally engineered for other markets and not intended for sale in the States. When Ford's product strategy changed while they were under development, the two companies met and solved the critical design elements together, making each viable for the domestic market. Problems solved, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-ford-fiesta-at-2009-la-auto-show/">Fiesta</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-mazda-mazda2-los-angeles-auto-show-2009-unveiled/">Mazda2</a> debuted at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/la-auto-show/">LA Auto Show</a> earlier this month and are going on sale next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/">2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-fiesta-hatchback/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/fiestahatch11004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/">2011 Mazda2</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mazda2/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011mazda2004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20091215/AUTO01/912150376/1148/auto01/Ford--Mazda-to-remain--long-term--partners">The Detroit News</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/">REPORT: Ford and Mazda clarify future relationship, still strong</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19282522/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/report-ford-and-mazda-clarify-future-relationship-still-strong/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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