Do Mazdas have Ford engines?

Not in modern Mazdas. Today, Mazda uses engines that are designed and built in-house as part of its Skyactiv powertrain family. In the past, Mazda and Ford did share engine designs and work together on powertrains, but that era has largely ended and Ford engines are not used in current Mazda models.

To understand what that means for buyers and enthusiasts, this article traces the historical collaboration between the two automakers, explains Mazda’s current engine strategy, and shows how to verify engine origins for specific models or model years.

Historical collaboration and engine sharing

Before laying out the key points, here is an overview of how Ford and Mazda interacted on engines during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

• In the 1990s and 2000s, Mazda developed a family of engines (the MZR family) that overlapped with Ford’s Duratec line, with variants used by both brands.


• There were joint programs and shared components across platforms, enabling cross-brand production and engineering collaboration in some markets.


• As corporate strategies evolved, Mazda began emphasizing in-house development under its Skyactiv umbrella, while Ford gradually reduced its stake and involvement in Mazda’s powertrain programs.

That era yielded practical benefits for both brands, but Mazda eventually shifted toward independent engine design and distinct Skyactiv technologies for efficiency and performance.

Modern Mazda engines and the Skyactiv era

Since the mid-2010s, Mazda has pursued a decisive in-house engine strategy centered on Skyactiv, emphasizing efficiency, lightweight design, and advanced combustion.

• Skyactiv-G gasoline engines, including 1.5L, 2.0L, and 2.5L variants, with a turbocharged 2.5L option used in several newer models.


• Skyactiv-D diesel engines (2.2L), offered in certain markets outside the United States, focused on efficiency and torque characteristics.


• Skyactiv-X compression-ignition engines (SPCCI), introduced in select models around 2019, combining gasoline performance with diesel-like efficiency.

Across these families, the powertrains are Mazda-developed and produced, with no Ford-sourced engines in the current lineup.

What to check if you're researching a specific model

If you want to confirm the exact engine origin for a particular model year or market, follow these steps to verify.

• Check the engine family designation in official specifications (for example, Skyactiv-G, Skyactiv-D, or Skyactiv-X).


• Look for Mazda’s Skyactiv branding in brochures, the owner’s manual, and the engine cover.


• Review the production notes or window sticker for details on the powertrain and its origin.

For precise information, consult Mazda’s official specifications or the model’s documentation to confirm the exact engine family and its provenance.

Conclusion

Ultimately, contemporary Mazdas do not rely on Ford engines. The historical collaboration between Mazda and Ford produced shared engineering in earlier decades, but Mazda now relies on its own Skyactiv powertrains designed and built in-house.

Summary

In brief: No, modern Mazdas run Mazda-engineered Skyactiv powertrains. The Ford-Mazda engine-sharing era belongs to automotive history, and Mazda’s current lineup reflects its independent approach to engine development and efficiency.

Who makes engines for Mazda?

Mazda makes its own engines, with major manufacturing facilities in Japan and a subsidiary in Mexico that produces engines for the North and South American markets. Other regional plants, such as those in Thailand and China, also contribute to global demand, ensuring that engines are produced in various locations to meet regional needs.
 

• Japan: The headquarters and key engine manufacturing operations are located in Japan. Japan serves as the primary center for engine design and production. 
• Mexico: A subsidiary in Salamanca, Mexico, plays a critical role in producing gasoline and diesel engines for Mazda vehicles sold in North and South America. 
• Thailand: Mazda has an engine manufacturing plant in Thailand that started production in 2015 to support the Southeast Asian market. 
• China: A joint venture in China produces engines for the region. 

While Mazda handles its own engine manufacturing, it has a partnership with Toyota, resulting in a shared manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, for assembling vehicles.

Does Ford Motors own Mazda?

No, Ford does not own Mazda, although they had a significant partnership for decades. Ford began selling its shares in Mazda in 2008 and had completely divested its ownership by 2015, making Mazda a fully independent company. Mazda is now a separate, publicly traded Japanese automaker.
 

• Past partnership: Ford and Mazda had a long-standing alliance where Ford held a major stake and they shared platforms and technology. 
• Divestment: Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford began selling its shares in Mazda. This process was completed by 2015. 
• Current status: Mazda is now an independent company with its ownership dispersed among various shareholders, including Japanese banks and investment companies. 
• Strategic alliances: While not owned by Ford, Mazda has formed new alliances, including a strategic partnership with Toyota, which holds a small stake in Mazda. 

Does Mazda make engines for Ford?

No, Mazda does not currently use Ford engines, but they did in the past due to a long partnership that has since ended. During their alliance, Mazda and Ford co-developed and shared certain engines, including the Mazda L-series/Ford Duratec and the Ford Duratorq diesel, but modern Mazda vehicles use their own unique Skyactiv engines. 

• Past engine sharing:
  • Ford used engines co-developed with Mazda, branding them as "Duratec". 
  • For example, the Mazda CX-9 used a Ford Cyclone V6 engine from 2007 to 2015. 
  • Mazda also used Ford/PSA joint venture engines in some models, such as the DLD diesel engine. 
• Current engines:
  • Since the partnership ended in 2015, Mazda has focused on its own engine technology, most notably the Skyactiv line. 
  • Today's Mazda engines are designed and built by Mazda and are unique to their vehicles. 

When did Mazda stop using Ford engines?

Mazda officially stopped using Ford engines after the partnership officially ended in 2015, though most collaborative engineering and engine development had ceased by 2008. Ford began divesting its stake in Mazda in 2008, and by 2014, it had severed most production and development ties, with the last significant use of Ford-derived engines ending by 2015. 

• 2008: Ford began selling its shares in Mazda, with the partnership scaling back significantly. Development of new collaborative projects and models began to end around this time. 
• 2015: The Ford-Mazda partnership officially concluded as Ford sold the last of its stake. 
• Last shared engines: While collaborative work stopped earlier, the last models to use Ford-derived engines included the CX-9 with a Ford V6 and the B-Series pickup with a Ford engine. These models were produced up until around 2015.