Final Mazda6 Rolls Off Line at Michigan Venture

Mazda Motor Corp.'s 50:50 joint venture with Ford Motor Co. in Flat Rock, Mich., built its final Mazda6 midsize sedan on Friday.

Mazda plans to make the next-generation Mazda6 in Japan. That model will be publicly unveiled at the Moscow auto show next week.

The existing Mazda6 shares a platform with the Ford Fusion midsize sedan. The two companies stopped co-developing vehicles after Ford reduced its stake in Mazda to 3.5% in late 2010 from 34.4% in 2008.

Mazda remains half-owner of the 20-year-old AutoAlliance Inc. venture. But the Japanese company says it is discussing the operation's future with Ford.

The Flat Rock plant continues to make the Ford Mustang sporty couple. Ford plans to invest $550 million in the factory and hire 1,200 workers for a second shift when the facility begins producing the Fusion next June.