November 15th, 1999
Mazda and Ford to share new global engine family
Ford and Mazda are in a joint venture to produce a new global inline engine family
for the 2001 model year and beyond passenger cars and light trucks.
Mazda’s engine plant in Hiroshima is one of the production sites, along with
Ford’s engine plants in Dearborn, U.S.A.; Chihuahua, Mexico; and Valencia, Spain.
These plants will each have allocated responsibilities and will play key roles in the
future of gasoline engine production in an important new global in-line engine family for
Mazda and Ford vehicles. Dependent on consumer demand, expected annual production with
these four facilities is projected to be 2 million units by 2004.
This strategy will focus on optimising operational efficiencies by fully exploiting the
production capacities of engine manufacturing facilities of Mazda and Ford on a global
scale to make the most of synergetic effects. This global scale engine manufacturing
sourcing has many advantages, such as increased economies of scale, drastically improved
efficiency and flexibility, and will result in increased competitive strength and better
value for customers and shareholders.
Mazda’s engine plant in Hiroshima will start producing new engines in the fall of
2001, adding a new sophisticated line by consolidating existing ones in order to
facilitate a highly flexible and agile manufacturing operation. The new engine line will
have a capacity of 425,000 units per year.
The new engine family has been under development jointly with Mazda and Ford, taking
advantage of their combined R & D strengths.
Designed to address worldwide consumer expectations, the new engine family delivers
spirited performance while providing class-leading quality, Noise Vibration &
Harshness (NVH) rating, and value. With its lightweight construction, high fuel
efficiency, and low emissions, it will also help Mazda and Ford meet their worldwide
environmental pledge.
James E. Miller, president of Mazda Motor Corporation, stated, "This is a
critically important strategy to make Mazda more competitive for the next millennium. This
new Global Engine Family strategy will further promote the merits of our leveraged
relationship.
"By sharing world-leading engine technology yet developing distinctive engine
characteristics for Mazda products, we will be able to offer customers the best value. In
addition, we can focus our efforts on designing and engineering cars from the
customer’s perspective and making the Mazda personality clearly distinctive."
