Originally posted by stadtsoldat:
For the record GM and Ford just finished co-developing a 6spd auto transmission. So yes, from time to time, they do work together. But Ford is much more likely to pawn car parts off their other units. The Fusion chassis (Mazda 6) and I4 motor (Mazda), the Five Hundred chassis (Volvo S80), the Euro Focus ST I5 motor (Volvo), the Escape chassis (Mazda 626) and hybrid technology (Toyota), the 2.3L Duratec (Mazda), and so on... Ford is just the epitome of platform sharing these days. Almost nothing is Ford anymore, it seems.



Yes they platform share, as does everyone else (see Volkswagen and Skoda, and Seat...). Ford owns Mazda and Volvo. The agreement with Toyota on Hybrids is more of a preemptive strike to avoid some patent issues, IIRC.

The worrisome thing for Ford is the sharing with Volvo and Mazda is a selling point. One would hope, with these companies as their subsidiaries, it would be the other way around.

98 Silver Frost SVT 97 BMW 540I Sport, six speed "Blue is for sky, black is for soil, and white is for simplicity, purity and hope for the future" "A coveted car should never stunt your life, but should make it more rich and interesting."