Fiat, Mazda May Expand Co-Development Work

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 signed a memorandum of understanding in May to co-develop rear-wheel 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. Teams of engineers from both carmakers are huddling now to reach a better understanding of each other's company, according to Yamanouchi.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne expressed interest three months ago in extending their partnership, Yamanouchi tells ANE. One option under consideration: using underutilized Fiat plants in Italy to assembly Mazda vehicles.

Mazda is slated under the current partnership plan to begin production in Japan of Alfa's version of the upcoming Alfa/Miata sports car in 2015.