• November 18, 2010

Ford Motor Company is selling a chunk of its 11% stake in Mazda. The former company has been reducing its stake in the Japanese automaker for several years. The Dearborn automaker went from having a controlling 33.4% stake in the company to owning just 13% two years ago when it sold a large portion to avoid taking government cash.

The relationship generated a rare success story in the minefield of auto-company M&As: The Fusion, Mazda6, Fiesta and Mazda2 are hot-sellers that share platforms and helped revive both companies as the sun started to set on traditional SUVs as the major revenue driver for the U.S. auto market. Ford had been a major shareholder in Mazda since the late 1970's.

After the shares shift, Ford will have a 3.5% stake in the company with the 7.5% going to Mazda's business partners via off-auction trading through the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Mazda and Ford have agreed to continue their strategic partnership and the companies say the change in shareholding will not affect Mazda's business direction or financial projections.