Friday, July 6, 2012

Breaking Up is Hard to Do


The Ford/Mazda breakup was just that; a break up.  Ford called Mazda up and said, "I'm sorry, this just isn't working."
Through the tears and gnashing of teeth, Mazda managed to ask, "w-w-why??"
"It's not you, it's me," Ford said, with a look of feigned sadness.
Ford has brought itself out of the frumpy stage of the nineties, and is now part of the jet set.  Fitting, as their current CEO, Alan Mulally, brought jet maker Boeing out of financial troubles.  While Ford swills expensive champagne by the pool, Mazda has put on a fake smile.  Note to Mazda: the Cheshire Cat called, he wants his face back.
I had hope for Mazda.  The Kodo design language is much fresher than the Nagare language that still permeates the Mazda lots.  The CX-5 is lithe, taut, and handsome, and the Skyactiv tech is promising. 
There is one, small problem, however.  Ford took the house in the divorce.  Mazda has limited resources.  Because of this, Mazda cannot bring product to market quickly enough.  This puts them in a very bad position.  They can rush product to market and risk not only losing their loyal customers, as few as they may be, and new customers; or they can take their time making a product they can be proud of, just for it to show up late to an already crowded party.
Now, it seems, Mazda is looking for a benefactor.  Word on the street is that Mazda and FIAT are planning to share platforms.  Hopefully wasabi and marinara go well together.  I, for one, think that sounds disgusting.

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