What Mazda cars did Ford make?
Ford Motor Company and Mazda have a long history of collaboration, with Ford owning a significant stake in the Japanese automaker for many years. During this partnership, Ford produced several Mazda-based vehicles for the North American market. Let's explore the key Mazda cars that Ford manufactured.
Ford Probe
The Ford Probe was a sports car produced from 1988 to 1997 that was based on the Mazda G platform. It was designed to replace the Ford Mustang, but ultimately failed to gain the same level of popularity. The Probe shared many components with the Mazda MX-6, including the engine and chassis.
Ford Ranger Pickup
The Ford Ranger compact pickup truck, produced from 1983 to 2011, shared its platform with the Mazda B-Series truck. This allowed Ford to offer a smaller, more fuel-efficient pickup option in the North American market. The Ranger and B-Series were nearly identical, with only minor styling differences.
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar, produced from 1999 to 2002, was based on the Mazda JC platform, which was also used for the Mazda Millenia. This gave the Cougar a more modern, sporty design compared to its previous iterations. The Cougar shared many components with the Mazda Xedos 6, including the engine and suspension.p>
Mazda-Based SUVs
Ford also produced several SUV models that were based on Mazda platforms, including the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. These vehicles shared their underpinnings with the Mazda Tribute, allowing Ford to quickly bring new SUV models to market.
In summary, Ford's partnership with Mazda resulted in the production of several Mazda-based vehicles for the North American market, including the Ford Probe, Ford Ranger, Mercury Cougar, and various SUV models. This collaboration allowed Ford to leverage Mazda's engineering expertise and platform designs to expand its product lineup.
What was the last year Ford owned Mazda?
2015
Mazda, founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo, became an independent automaker. It gained renown for its unique rotary engines and innovative vehicle designs. Ford owned a 33.4% stake in Mazda until 2015, ending its control.
Are Ford and Mazda linked?
Mazda is owned by the Mazda Motor Corporation, based near Hiroshima, Japan. Back in 1979, the Ford Motor Company bought shares in the company and owned over 33 percent of the company by 1995.
Does Ford make Mazda cars?
No, Ford does not currently make Mazda, as Mazda is an independent company headquartered in Japan. Ford previously held a significant stake in Mazda, but sold off its shares by 2015, ending the partnership. While they had a close relationship for decades and shared some vehicle platforms, Mazda now operates independently with a strategic alliance with Toyota Motor Company.
- Past partnership: Ford and Mazda had a strategic partnership from 1974 to 2015. During this time, Ford held a significant stake, peaking at about 33.4% in 2005.
- Share sell-off: Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford began selling its shares in Mazda. By 2015, Ford had divested nearly all of its stake, and the formal partnership ended.
- Current status: Mazda is now an independent company with its own ownership structure. It has a separate strategic alliance with Toyota Motor Corporation, which holds a small stake in the company.
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.
