Fiat To Build New Roadster On New Mazda MX-5 Platform

Mazda Motor Corp and Fiat SpA will team up to make a small sports car in the first step of possibly broader partnership between the Japanese and Italian auto makers as the industry's biggest players continue to team up to share development costs and improve economies of scale.

The agreement--a non-binding memorandum of understanding announced early Wednesday--allows Mazda to try out a partnership with another big foreign manufacturer after a pact with Ford Motor Co. (F) fell apart last year.

For Fiat, the deal with Mazda it is latest move to bolster its presence in Asia--Mazda is the Italian group's third partner in the region---while giving it a new model to expand the line-up of its Alfa Romeo sports car brand which it plans to relaunch in the U.S. next year.

Read Article

mini22 - 5/24/2012 12:44:25 AM

+2 Boost

My hope is the Fiat/Alfa can somehow adapt the 2ettotanta exterier shell to the Mazda MX5 platform. Alfa needs a spider that is a stunner.
No offence to Mazda but the MX5 Miata is not what you would call a stunning looking design. Cute might be a more appropriate adjective.

vdiv - 5/24/2012 10:50:51 AM

+1 Boost

Agree, the combination would produce a very exciting car. Both brands have so much unfulfilled potential.

It is very exciting to see a sports coupe/convertible renaissance taking place, especially after the Great Recession.

Honda needs the S2000 back, GM needs to revive the Sky/Solstice, Ford needs an exciting new car, Toyota/Subaru deserve a lot of credit for bringing out the GT86/BRZ.

didlydrumr - 5/24/2012 11:13:21 AM

+1 Boost

I actually appreciate mazda keeping the design similar to the original miata, a rediculously amazing car.

dlin - 5/26/2012 12:55:12 AM

+1 Boost

I hope Mazda capitalize on the platform sharing to strengthen engine development, as well as a Z/FR-S competitor.