Mazda browned in Economist

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andy_guerriero

Member

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2003 Protege5

• Jul 7, 2003

• #1

I am getting sick and tired of Mazda getting the shaft when it comes to being mentioned as a prominent Japanese auto manufacturer.

I picked up an issue of The Economist which is a respected and interesting magazine because it featured an article about how American auto manufacturers are dying.

Within the first few paragraphs, they mention how American companies need to take cues from Japanese auto manufacturers to improve their methods and business. And guess what? They write about Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Not ONE freaking mention of Mazda.

Perhaps Mazda doesn't do as much business around here as the other three, but please. Any amount of research will turn up the fact that Mazda has become a model for how to run a car company - from their innovative engine design to their business model that has never failed to produce a profit, even when both the Japanese and American economies are in the dumps.

Rar.

 

D

Dimitrios

Contributor

:

2012 CWP MS3

• Jul 7, 2003

• #2

It's always the case. I think it has a lot to do with Ford's large stakehold in Mazda (despite the fact of Renault's hold over Nissan....different day, different forum).

They also never mention Fuji Heavy Industries (owner of Subaru) or Mitsu (perhaps because, again, of the slight stake by DaimlerChrysler).

 

S

scott42

Member

Contributor

:

Blue MP3 #1169; '06 Subaru B9 Tribeca

• Jul 7, 2003

• #3

I think its because they can't figure out how to fix a clunk and some hesitation

 

C

changedman

Banned

Contributor

:

2001 Mazda MP3

• Jul 25, 2003

• #4

its cuz Ford owns Mazda, or at least the majority of it!! IT SUCKS!!

 

I

InitialDMP5

Member

• Jul 25, 2003

• #5

Yeah I think the general consensus is that MAZDA is owned by Ford, therefore not making it a "japanese" car manufacturer. Just my thoughts though

 

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andy_guerriero

Member

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2003 Protege5

• Jul 25, 2003

• #6

Well, actually Ford owns a 1/3 interest, which is not a majority, nor is it anywhere close to ownership of the company.

But I digress.

 

1

1sty

Member

Contributor

:

2006 Toyota Tundra DC

• Jul 25, 2003

• #7

Ford owns more of mazda then anyone esle and calls the shots so Mazda is essectialy Fords b**** (spank). Hence it is not a japanese company anymore.

Just look at Honda, Nissan and Toyotas reliability ratings compared to mazda and you will easily tell the difference.

 

A

andy_guerriero

Member

:

2003 Protege5

• Jul 25, 2003

• #8

1st MP3 in NH said:

Ford owns more of mazda then anyone esle and calls the shots so Mazda is essectialy Fords b**** (spank). Hence it is not a japanese company anymore.

Just look at Honda, Nissan and Toyotas reliability ratings compared to mazda and you will easily tell the difference.

Click to expand...

I'm trying to be in denial over here, do you mind?

:mad:

 

1

1sty

Member

Contributor

:

2006 Toyota Tundra DC

• Jul 25, 2003

• #9

Stop bitching just starta fund rasier!
Call it FREE MAZDA, We will buy back Fords 1/3 share

 

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UBlink

Member

• Jul 26, 2003

• #10

If it has to do with Ford's interest in Mazda why wouldn't the same apply to Renault's interest in Nissan - does that mean Nissan isn't a Japanese company any more?

 

X

xchristopha

Member

• Jul 26, 2003

• #11

American car companies make common cars to sell to the common person. I think american companies are closing the gap in quality but in styling they are really lacking. People today want unique and luxury goods that they feel define there personalities or improve their status...whatever.
Mazda hasn't really established the huge followings that Toyota and Honda have because they may have come late in the game. When Subaru came to america they realized this and decided to differentiate themselves by offering all wheel drive on all their cars. Mazda perhaps with its well known rotary expertise has a cult following or niche. But I think generally in the minds of most people Mazda is just another foreign brand that gets grouped with mitsus or hyundais.

I had always thought that Mazda made super quality until I saw a bunch their engineering specifications at work partially handwritten!...maybe this has something to do with the asian langauges (symbols and characters) but I just don't think it is very professional.




Nonetheless I love my pr5.

 

Z

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Member

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Either a Mazda 3 or Mazda 6

• Jul 31, 2003

• #12

I think the reason could be compared to Toyota and Nissan its small and nobody really consider Mazda a big player for market share, while Honda is small (but growing), are very popular among the younger people.

IMO, lately I find Mazda products to better than Honda, Toyota and Nissan

 

K

kc5zom

WTF is Fooly Cooly?!?

• Aug 23, 2003

• #13

Since when was Honda small? Honda and Toyota have just been the model of how to run a car company. Profitable high quality organizations. Americans had a good run because for a while there we were the only ones producing the big trucks that most people are buying now (and the F-150 has been the best selling vehicle for ages now). Now the Japanese manufacturers are getting into the pickup game, and I would bet real money that GM and Ford are not going to be able to compete with them much longer (hence the much much larger incentives they are having to push to get their vehicles off the lots).

 

2

2K3 MSP

Member

Contributor

:

Spicy Orange MSP #1287

• Aug 23, 2003

• #14

Here in Sacramento, I swear I see as many Protege's and P5's as I do Civics and Accords, not to mention the pickups, minivans, millenia's, mx's, miatas....And why do you guys keep saying it isn't a Japanese car?? Aren't these all still built in Japan??
I think Mazda is right up there with the BIG names. And, yes, our cars look better stock or modified

 

P

PeaB0dy

Member

:

03.5 P5 - White

• Aug 23, 2003

• #15

Renault owns 42% of Nissan on a bail out agreement, Nissan was about to go tits up..

Ford owns 33% of Mazda, but mazda over the past several years has been restructuring, they lost themselves, and as of recent refound them selves, and found a market, fun to drive cars..

Subaru, is partially owned by GM, GM has a holding in Fuji Heavy Industries.

Toyota and GM have an agreement, or GM owns a small share of Toyota, don't know there. But look @ some of the Geo's (others were suzuki's..)

Honda, is first an engine manufacturer, they are the largest engine manufacturer in the world, then a car maker.. They are still on their own..

Mitsu, well DalmlerChrysler owns a portion of them..

You do know the best chryslers on the road right, the colt, stealth and eagle gt 2000, the best cars they never built..

 

M

MisterT

Member

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2001 Protege ES

• Aug 23, 2003

• #16

Which is why some of Mitsu sucks in the reliability deptmnt. I remember and don't know if it still this way, but wasn't Eclipse engines built by Chrysler? In Consumer Reports, you can tell when the Chrysler trend started as the marks lowered on all Eclipses in various categories. I had a '90 Eclipse with no problems, but the newer ones are full of glitches thanks in part of Dalmler Chrysler. But Mazda engines are made in japan, what about escorts? Those have good engines in them as far as reliability is concerned.