Miata Mailing List: December 1998, Message #256

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Ford may buy the rest of Mazda
By David Welch / The Detroit News

DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Co. may buy all of Mazda Motor Corp., which it
already controls through a part-ownership stake.  But even if Ford
doesn't purchase the struggling Japanese automaker outright, a
rethinking of the company's product line is in the works.  Ford, which
owns nearly 40 percent of Mazda, wants to eliminate competition between
the two companies, said Chairman Alex Trotman, who ends his tenure as
chairman and chief executive on Jan. 1.  "They'll be working cohesively
with Ford in putting product and manufacturing plans together," Trotman
said. "Their cycle plan and Ford's cycle plan are meshed together."
Trotman said in an interview Monday that Mazda and Ford compete almost
directly in some car segments, particularly small cars.  He also said
Ford may acquire the rest of the company, but he declined to predict
when such a move would be made. 	

Michael Opalak
Peachtree Miata Club, Atlanta GA
'91 A Classic Red (for sale!)
'99 PEP Brilliant Black - Team Brainstorm - Team Voodoo
"Part of freedom is the right of each of us to go to hell in his own
fashion."