SPIED: Mazda2 Hits U.S. Shores, Is The Ford Fiesta In Trouble?

**Thanks to spy photographer, Fred Khaz!

In the past month there has been an onslaught of positive reviews for one of this summer's biggest cars, the Ford Fiesta.

But, what people are forgetting is that Mazda's small-car king is also hitting our shores this summer. Yup, the Mazda2.

And it is no little humdinger. This car has won numerous accolades in Europe and dominated in the 2008 World Car of the Year contest.

Unfortunately for Ford, the Volkswagen Golf defeated the Fiesta in 2009. Wompwomp.

Regardless, the small-car wars are heating up.

What say you, Spies?

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bmwM3 - 5/9/2010 5:48:59 PM

+1 Boost

Considering ford owns Mazda, i think ford is excited.

91z4me - 5/10/2010 7:39:25 PM

+1 Boost

I think the stake is around 11% right now, but Ford still has controlling interest.

holmstar - 6/4/2010 12:54:34 PM

+1 Boost

From what I have heard, they DON'T have a controlling interest anymore, though they do still share tech.

kornholio - 5/9/2010 5:53:28 PM

0 Boost

It was my understanding that the Mazda2 was built on the Fiesta platform, so even if some sales are siphoned off the Fiesta, there should be some royalty checks coming in from that. Now that Ford has cut the umbilical cord, Mazda will have to start building their cars from the ground up and they will surely be in for some trouble.
These Mazda vehicles based on Ford platforms:
Mazda2 = Fiesta
Mazda3 = Focus
Mazda5 = C Max
Mazda6 = Mundeo
Tribute = Escape
B series truck = Ranger
Did I miss anything?

91z4me - 5/10/2010 7:44:21 PM

+2 Boost

You have it wrong. The Fiesta and Mazda2 are on a platform that Ford jointly developed with Fiat (used in the Fiat 500).

The Mazda3 is on an updated version of the Protege chassis (although the next one is supposed to be shared with Ford's Focus).

The Mazda5, while similar in size and specs, is not based on the C-Max which is itself based on Ford's C1 Focus (nor the S-Max that is based on the Mondeo).

The Mazda6 is its own chassis that is adapted for the CX7 (shared with the Ford Edge) and US Fusion. The Mondeo is using its own Ford developed chassis.

The Mazda Tribute was developed 1st and the Escape was based on it.

You are correct the B series is a Ranger.

So really Ford is using 2 (or 3 depending how you count) Mazda chassis and Mazda is using a single Ford chassis and a single co-developed chassis.

ToyotaGUY - 5/9/2010 7:00:49 PM

0 Boost

kornholio is right....iHave nothing else to say...lol

t_bone - 5/9/2010 9:39:27 PM

-1 Boost

Drop that suspension a couple inches and then we can talk.

ceric - 5/9/2010 11:53:57 PM

0 Boost

Ford now only owns 13% of Mazda.
Legally in US, Ford does not "own" Mazda anymore.
(I believe the threshold is around 30%)
Thinks will start to change between Mazda and Ford.
Proof? You can see Mazda on Ford website anymore.

holmstar - 6/4/2010 12:56:22 PM

+1 Boost

This is true. Ford doesn't control Mazda anymore.

als723 - 5/10/2010 4:23:55 AM

+1 Boost

It won't make a difference. Ford greatly outsells Mazda, and Mazda is owned by Ford.

holmstar - 6/4/2010 12:56:38 PM

+1 Boost

not anymore.

Agent63 - 5/10/2010 6:42:55 AM

+1 Boost

A win win situation for Ford.

TehShibbs - 5/10/2010 8:25:59 PM

+1 Boost

Its the same thing. Shut up already.