Hmmm, while what you say may well be true, it seems logical to me that if Ford (with its previous 33.4% share of ownership) voted to do one thing and the remaining 66.6% voted to do something else instead, Ford would be out voted. If that's not the case then Japan has some pretty strange corporate rules.

 

In japan its only ~30%, personally idc what happens im happy with MY 3, next car will be a 2nd gen rx-7 then a 93 civic, just wanted to throw that in there .

 

look what GM did to Saab. first year they had it they changed the recipe for the block casting, downhill ever since.

 

What does that have to do with this? Ford/Mazda have worked successfully together since the 1970's.

 

Absolutely nothing, Scott...

I went to the auto show yesterday and sat in every Mazda and a few of the Ford counterparts. I must say, Mazda...what happened? The designs, save the RX-8, looked like rubbish. The new cars are bigger overall, but there's less room in the cabin. I couldn't even fit in the Mazda6, thanks to the big center console cutting off hip room. The Mazda3 was a bit better in that regard, but it's still so much of a disappointment when compared to the first generation when it comes to ergonomics and styling.

I can't really criticize the RX-8 for not being able to accommodate me, as it never has been able to...I swear that seat was designed for women and men who wear <30. I've never been able to fit in an MX5 either, so I can't complain. I actually kind of like that silly frog face smile on the MX5...it just looks gross on everything else.

However, I also sat in the Fusion...and Ford was obviously thinking of actual male drivers. I fit with PLENTY of room to spare, and I found a comfortable driving position. If I was torn between the two (6 and Fusion), I'd go for the Fusion in a heartbeat. As far as Ford goes, though...I like what they're doing these days. I love their styling (apart from SUVs....I hate those), and their controlled companies impressed me as well - I got into a Volvo C30 and fell for it. When it's time for my first new car, that's going to be a huge competitor for the Cobalt SS and Speed3.

It really felt like Mazda and Ford were two separate companies, despite the fact that their exhibitions were adjacent from each other...and I must say, while I leaned heavily towards Mazda two years ago, that favor has since been thrown to the blue oval.

 

I've been increasingly happy with the product we're coming out with these days....Wait until you see the new Taurus SHO (365hp AWD) - it's awesome.

There is a 2010 Fusion Sport in my parking lot here at work right now....I LOVE the re-style (and I already liked the 2009)

It will continue to get better as the Fiesta and the Euro Focus come over.....very exciting times if we can just get through this recession intact.

Seems like even Wall Street is starting to get behind the Blue Oval, trading at $4.25 up from $1.00 in November and it was hovering in the $2.00 range all March.

 

I saw the Taurus SHO yesterday from about 10 feet...it didn't really do it for me, but to be fair, I didn't get a look inside. I'll be back on Saturday, hopefully I'll get a good look this time.

And if the Euro Focus is going to be serious, then by all means I want to take a test drive in a few years.

 

Now that the Ford Fusion has an "advertised" 41 mpg rating for the Fusion Hybrid; what will Mazda do next? I hear that they are going to lean more towards diesel engines for future designs expecting that lower fuel consuption and lower purchase price compred to hybrids will give them a competitive advantage.

 

Mazda has been (and will probably always will be) an enthusiast brand. One focused more on the performance of the vehicles, not necessarily on the fuel mileage.

Don't get me wrong - I love the new Fusion and there is a future for hybrid technology, I just don't think it's the answer for world peace or anything. There will be people that buy it, and those that don't. Internal combustion engines definitely have an advantage from a cost standpoint - It will take the average buyer at least 6-7 years to recoupe the cost of a hybrid vs the standard version of a car. All depends on how you drive, where you drive and the price of gas. (You can cut that payback time down if you factor in other things like lower brake wear, less frequest oil changes, etc.)

In the US (even today) the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is still less important to the buyer than the functionality of that vehicle. If this weren't the case, full-size pick-up wouldn't have still been the top 2 selling vehicles in the worst year in the auto industry in over 20 years. (F-Series #1 and Silverado #2 alone accounted for approximately 1.1 Million units of a total 13 Million unit year 8.5% of total sales in the US in 2008)

I think Mazda will be just fine so long as they keep their vehicle production in line with demand.