Could Mazda help save Ford Aus......

[CyberWasp]

Could a partnership between Ford and Mazda be viable in Australia?

The Ranger & Mazda Utes are built from the same factory in Thailand, so why couldn't the same thing be done here to help lower development costs and help get LHD vehicles made?

For example could the Territory and CX9 be built on the same platform?

What would a Falcon look like Mazdadized and would Mazda USA like to have a RWD large sedan?

Could Skyactiv Technology be used to get the I6 past the next Euro Standards and how much would it improve performance / economy?

Falcon Ute - Endless possibilities for export. 4, 6 & 8 Cylinder and diesel options, many tray options. Easily adapted to different markets. Performance versions too.

Would a partnership with Mazda be worse than shutting up manufacturing completely?

[Resurrection]

Yes - turn all the Ford dealers into Mazda dealers.

[Fordman1]

No ....

[Nikked]

Ford and mazda have little relationship now...

[GQ_Smooth]

Mazda have done what they can to split to 2 business in Australia, Ford use to do the distribution of their part a few years ago, no longer (we weren't meeting the service levels they had set for themselves). This wasn't a cheap exercise for them.

[Vesper Martini]

No not in Australia- as above Mazda have already split the parts distribution from Ford into a new location.
CX9 is built in Japan already sharing the Ford Edge platform.
as you mentioned Ranger/BT50 in thailand
Mazda will have no need for production in Australia. sorry but nobody wants a large RWD Sedan anymore

[Vesper Martini]

Some interesting info, Vehicles Sharing The Ford/mazda CD3 Platform
2002–2008 Mazda 6 (GG)
2006–present Besturn B70
2006–2012 Ford Fusion (CD338)
2006–2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ (CD378)
2006–2011 Mercury Milan (CD338)
2007–present Mazda CX-9
2007–present Ford Edge crossover SUV (U387)
2007–present Lincoln MKX crossover SUV (U388)
2008–2012 Mazda 6 (GH) (Note: modified platform)
2009–present Besturn B50

[deadfish2]

mazda wouldn't be interested..... they try to marked themselves as more of a premium product... + there would be problems with customer service... from my experience with my mazda - they are fantastic

[csv8]

Badge Mazda 6 as Telstar ???

[LeadFoot81]

Ford and Mazda have slowly distanced themselves over the last half decade, I don't think it would or could happen.

[jpd80]

Some people are talking as though Falcon and Territory production has already stopped......

[Bossxr8]

Mazda are pretty much cut off from Ford now, they no longer share chassis on new models bar the BT50/Ranger. New 3, 6 and CX5 are now on Mazda specific chassis. There will be next to no cross over between both companies from now on.

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Some interesting info, Vehicles Sharing The Ford/mazda CD3 Platform
2002–2008 Mazda 6 (GG)
2006–present Besturn B70
2006–2012 Ford Fusion (CD338)
2006–2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ (CD378)
2006–2011 Mercury Milan (CD338)
2007–present Mazda CX-9
2007–present Ford Edge crossover SUV (U387)
2007–present Lincoln MKX crossover SUV (U388)
2008–2012 Mazda 6 (GH) (Note: modified platform)
2009–present Besturn B50

Expect less model sharing in future once these models are replaced as Ford no longer controls Mazda.

[KIWI-1]

They did that very successfully under the John Button plan. Mazda made the small cars in Japan, Ford built the Falcon at Broadmeadows.
Production wise 30 years later Mazda still make the small cars in Japan while Ford still build the Falcon at Broadmeadows.
Sales wise...

[Sprint XR8]

Originally Posted by KIWI-1

They did that very successfully under the John Button plan. Mazda made the small cars in Japan, Ford built the Falcon at Broadmeadows.
Production wise 30 years later Mazda still make the small cars in Japan while Ford still build the Falcon at Broadmeadows.
Sales wise...

30 years ago Ford was building Laser in Sydney and Telstar in Broadmeadows with Geelong built engines. Mazda's were built in Japan.
Laser production started in 81 and had been planed since 77. The Button plan didn't exist until 83-84 and had nothing to do with the Ford Mazda tie up.
The Button plan was about local manufacturers sharing locally built models, Ford building Laser/Telstar whilst Mazda imported 323/626 was not covered by the plan.

[KIWI-1]

My bad.