Mazda, Ford to Share Computer Design Systems

01/23/97

The Associated Press reports that Mazda Motor Corp. President Henry Wallace announced his company's plans to merge its new computerized car design system with a similar one at Ford Motor Co. The plan indicates the manner in which the 2 automakers are working more closely together since Ford increased its share of Mazda to a controlling 33.4 percent.

Tadahiko Takiguchi, a Mazda executive for product development, said that Mazda's computerized design system spans the entire process of carmaking--from research through production--differentiating it from the systems used by other carmakers. Currently the computer systems at Mazda and Ford are different, but Wallace said the 2 companies will eventually use the same system.

Mazda will begin using its Digital Innovation system on all models this spring. The system can simulate layouts of cars and create "virtual plants" to test out quality maintenance and job arrangements. Mazda says the system will decrease the amount of time it takes Mazda to develop a new car from the current rate of 18 months to 15 months.

Wallace said that Mazda's talks with Ford about sharing vehicle platforms are continuing, but he would not give specifics or say how Ford models might be affected by the plan.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel