Mazda And Fiat Agree On Tie-up
And now for the Italian section of our collection of tasteful tie-up art. Mazda and Fiat not quite tied the knot, but they became engaged. Mazda and Fiat signed “a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda’s next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture,” Mazda says in a statement.
Using the next-gen MX-5 platform, both knotees will “develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight, roadsters.” Each will “be powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand.” However, the plan is that both vehicles will be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant where the Alfa should roll off the line some time in 2015. The Final Agreement is expected to be signed in the second-half of 2012.
Of course, jointly producing a low volume roadster won’t be all. According to the statement, “Mazda and Fiat have also agreed to discuss further opportunities for cooperation in Europe.” Mazda told Reuters that “the agreement does not involve any discussions on an equity alliance,” but that doesn’t rule them out.
In the world of tie-ups, Mazda has been tightly watched ever since Ford pulled out. Mazda needs a global partner, and the fit with Fiat and Chrysler would be good.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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As it was mentioned on another site, co-development of the Alfa version will mean that it will not compete head-to-head with the Miata. This is puzzling as they will share underpinnings but have their own engines. I would strongly suspect that the Alfa will be priced much higher than the Miata which would eliminate competition between the two.
So this article, with this image, is hanging out just above yet another TTAC piece bemoaning the state of automotive journalism. Hilarious. Keep on trolling, guys!
Cool article. To bad you covered up the boobie, don't see what all the fuss is about. I guess too many people think the world is going to hell if their off-spring saw a tit somewhere. As for Mazda & Fiat, I'd sure give it a long look. I'm just 6 numbers short of winning the Powerball, but there's always a chance, HA!
You call that cheesecake??