The new 2001 MX-3

[Frenchguy0]

True, Ford doesn't own Mazda. But just like in any major corporation, in that case Ford and mazda they form a group and Ford has "control" over Mazda being the prinipal shareholder. I would think Mazda do own stocks of Ford, it's called a crossed participation, to avoid that one of the company is taking over the other one. That said, they do devellop and share more than just engines to make better profits and keep their plants running. They also share engineering and marketing. This is the same thing between Ford and Mazda than between Renault and Nissan (Renault owns 25 % of Nissan) and is sharing machanical part as well as wheelbases. For example the Mazda pick up is just a Ford Ranger, the Mazda 121 is a Fiesta or vice-versa. Like I said before Ford is a global corporation, even more a group that "includes" many brands, known in the U.S or not: Ford, Mazda, Mercury, Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover,Aston Martin ( i think)...Now I'm guessing but you probably find some Ford cars with the brand Mazda in Japan. Just like Renault is thinking about coming back in the U.S market using Infinity (the luxury brand of Nissan) to bare his efforts.<BR>I you think about it, there are not a lot of "independant car companie, they're pretty much all in groups. Another example would be the V.A G Group which is Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Bentley and more. Another example would be the partnership between Dodge and Mitsubishi....yes ladies and gentlemen they're partners, I can't remember the name of the mid size sedan coupe and convertible from Dodge but this is the same wheelbase than the Eclipse.<BR>Btw, all my info about Ford and Mazda come from Ford headquaters in France, I have friends there and a position in the marketing department waiting for me this summer. [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]