Fiat May Expand Joint Vehicle Work with Mazda

Mazda Motor Corp. CEO Takashi Yamanouchi tells Automotive News Europe the company is working with Fiat SpA on an "opportunity" list of possible joint vehicle development programs.

The companies already have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop sports cars to replace Fiat's Alfa Romeo Spider and Mazda's MX-5 Miata. Yamanouchi says that partnership should be finalized by year-end.

He declined to specify how or when the budding collaboration might expand. Tea s of engineers from both companies are huddling now to reach a better understanding of each carmaker, according to Yamanouchi.

He says Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne expressed interest three months ago in extending their partnership. One option being considered is using underutilized Fiat plants in Italy to assembly Mazda vehicles.