Mazda may form separate joint venture with Changan

Shanghai, May 13 (Gasgoo.com) At the end of last year, Japanese media reported that Ford may split its Chinese venture Changan Ford Mazda, with Changan and Mazda to establish a separate joint venture. Now there is further progress about this. Mazda told the media that it is true that Mazda and Ford will separate the joint-venture in China. Changan Group and Mazda, however, haven't released any relevant information yet.

Even though Mazda's CEO denied this news during the Beijing auto show, the Japanese media reported at the beginning of this year that Mazda Motor Corporation is considering its withdrawal from the joint-venture Changan Ford Mazda, and to set up a separate joint-venture with Changan Automobile.

In addition, Mazda's senior officials in China also revealed to the media that Mazda has consulted with Changan and Ford about the possibility of setting up a joint-venture with Changan. The three parties all feel that it is necessary to make some changes. Mazda has already sent the application to the government for approval.

Changan Automobile chairman Xu Liuping also disclosed to the media last year that there will be some changes within its joint-venture. “The time is changing, the market conditions are changing, and we must change with them. At the moment, we are making some adjustments to the joint-venture so as to promote the further development of Changan Automobile.” Xu said.

The spin-off is marked by Mazda 3 production's movement from Chongqing to Nanjing in May. If that is the case, the factory in Nanjing will produce Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 models and there is a great chance that it will become Mazda's exclusive factory in China.