Mazda Motor Will Broaden Product Development Ties with Ford

09/04/96

Nikkei English News has reported that Mazda Motor Corporation, Ford's Japanese affiliate, will establish a product strategy planning section within its product development division to strengthen ties in product planning and development with Ford. Mazda's plan is part of a larger strategy to restructure the company's product development division.

Mazda will also merge its passenger car and commercial vehicle development divisions to promote use of common car frames. Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda and has been pushing plans to integrate its frame output operations in the U.S. and Europe. Mazda hopes to use frames common to both firms for its mainstay Familia subcompacts in the year 2000.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel