If the news that is doing its round in the blogosphere were to be believed, we would certainly have another Japanese car maker entering India in a few years from now. Yes, we are speaking of Mazda Motor Corporation, the fifth largest Japanese car maker.
In a recent press conference held in Tokyo, Mazda CEO Mr. Takashi Yamanouchi stated that Mazda had plans to expand its business in emerging countries such as India, Brazil, and Russia. He was also quoted saying Mazda wanted to become a car maker with a scale of about 2 million vehicles and raise its presence globally. Mazda already has set a target of increasing its global sales to 1.7 million cars by March 2016. It should be noted that Mazda already has sold 1.19 million cars in 2009 alone.
Mr, Yamanouchi plans to sell roughly 3,00,000 cars in emerging countries like India, Brazil, and Russia as earlier mentioned in the blog. But Mazda itself is facing fierce competition and had to survive by relying on its new series of fuel-efficient engines and transmissions to be used in 80% of Mazda cars by 2015/16.
Now what needs to be seen is whether Mazda will make it into the emerging markets of new markets with Ford’s aid or would it go to the battlefield independently. It must be noted that Ford Motor Corporation now owns 3.5% stake in Mazda as opposed to 11 % stake Ford held in Mazda just before November 2010. This move doesn’t mean Ford-Mazda break up because both the companies has stated that they will continue to cooperate in areas such as joint ventures and technology exchange. It is a known fact that Mazda and Ford cars share platforms as well as joint production plants.
Now, going by not so intricate matters that we see around, Ford India already is an established auto major to reckon in India. The success rate of Ford got a boost with the recent success of Figo and now plans to export the Figo to other emerging markets. Th icing on the cake comes in the form of Ford wanting to make India its global hub. Looking at all these matters, it would be wise for Mazda to induct its products in India through Ford. But this has to be seen if Mazda would actually do it.
Lets just hope that Mazda’s Indian plans become a reality soon so that we can also watch those gorgeous Mazda Miatas zooming around in India.
About Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in 1920 as Toyo Kogyo Corporation Limited., the name ‘Mazda’ was formally adopted in 1984 only but even before that, all the vehicles had Mazda badge. According to the company’s website, ‘Mazda’ was derived from Ahura Mazda, god of knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and harmony worshiped by early civilizations. Also, Mazda refers to the company’s founder Jujiro Matsuda.
During the 1960s, Mazda developed the Wankel rotary engine as a way of differentiating themselves from other American auto companies. Mazda gained strength with its rotary engines which had the combination of good power and light weight when compared to piston-engines sold by competitors that required heavier V6 or V8 engines to produce the same power. Mazda started exporting its cars to America and established Mazda Canada and Mazda North American Operations. Mazda became a successful brand by 1973 when oil crisis hit US market.
American buyers sought fuel efficient cars and hence, Mazda focused on selling small cars with piston engines. Mazda refocused on rotary engines and produced the RX-7 in 1978 and continues to sell the RX-8 today based on rotary engines. Mazda also developed a light weight roadster MX-5 or Miata and introduced it to the world in 1989 that has now become a modern classic.
Ford bought 7% stake in Mazda in 1979 after the Japanese car maker was hit badly by financial crisis. Ford increased its stake by 20% in the 1980s and both the companies dished out cars based on each others’ platforms. Ford Courier was designed based on Mazda B-Series pick-up truck. Mazda Familia platform was used by Ford to make Escort and Laser. Mazda Capella transformed as Ford Telstar and Probe. In 2002, Ford increased its Mazda stakes by another 5%. The Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan is the joint venture plant owned by Ford-Mazda.
Currently in the US market, Mazda sells Mazda 2, Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed3, Mazda 5, Mazda 6, Mazda B-Series Truck, Mazda CX-7, Mazda CX-9, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda RX-8 and Mazda Tribute.
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