The next Alfa Romeo Spider will be a Mazda MX5, built in Japan! The platform will be all Mazda, with unique body panels and engines to each brand. This is the way of the future. Mitsubishi already make SUVs for Peugeot and Citroen.
Both Mitsubishi and Mazda are not well placed. Mazda no longer has Ford to help defray expenses with. However, thanks to the Ford tie-up, Mazda currently has a competitive range of vehicles but that surely cannot continue by going it alone. Additionally, it only makes cars in Japan which must impinge on profits. Mitsubishi on the other hand has been struggling for some time now. Its cars are so poor; it has to sell them at prices that yield no profit, only its SUVs keeping it afloat. Making them for PSA is the way to go, but is that enough?
Fiat and Suzuki are getting cosy, including a newly announced co-operative arrangement in India. Other manufacturers are busily finding ways to cut costs by sharing development and production. The MX5/Spider deal should be successful. Although not significant in itself, it is nevertheless part of what is becoming the norm in the car industry.
Pic: http://www.thetorquereport.com
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