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Originally Posted by NCZ13
Yes, the 3 does share chassis with the Euro Ford market. However, thats not to say that mazda=ford. Ford uses mazdas design and technology for their products (i.e sharing chassis) and mazda uses ford parts to keep their costs down.
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Actually, the chassis is Ford's design, the engine is Mazda's. The current American Focus is irrelevant and will be discontinued in 2010 to make way for the real Focus currently offered in Europe.
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Because of Fords economic situation, they are actually selling back a marjority of their share back to mazda (they currently hold 33.4 percent) 14% goes back to mazda i believe, while another small percentage goes to various japanese insurance companies. Ford needs mazda to stay afloat IMO.
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Has this been confirmed? Last I was told, this is all speculation at this point. I agree that Mazda's partnership is one of the rare ones that has worked in the industry, I wouldn't say that Ford needs Mazda though; one could argue its the other way around, Mazda was a mess until Ford took a majority interest IMO. Ford and Mazda will continue to work closely together regardless of what happens though.
On Topic:
BTW, I replied to the original poster, as I have a '08 WRX, but the post is pending approval as I included a link and am a new user. In summary, good car but crappy paint quality. I'll wait for that post to get approved rather then repeating myself now.