Ford “Open” to Partnerships on Small-Car Projects

Ford Motor Co. Mark Fields tells reporters the company is “always open” to talking with others about collaborating on small cars to cut costs and improve profitability.

Fields spoke generally and did not reference the declaration a day earlier by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne that he is looking for partners to share the company's future small-car production. FCA revealed on Wednesday it intends to “de-focus” on the American car market and concentrate instead on building more profitable trucks and SUVs.

One result, Marchionne said, is that FCA will drop its compact-size Dodge Dart and midsize Chrysler 200 when the current models end their life cycle.

Fields says small-car partnerships are a consideration at Ford, because they represent a way to lower development costs and hike production volumes to ensure a reasonable return on sales. Like Ford, FCA will need highly fuel-efficient cars to meet upcoming U.S. fuel economy targets.