马自达前景堪忧
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本来，马自达在与福特汽车公司（Ford Motor）结成的长期战略合作中受益颇丰。但到了2008年，情况出现了逆转。当时福特公司为了筹集现金，被迫出售了手头持有的马自达股份。这两家公司在密歇根州弗拉特洛克的一座装配厂中共同生产。去年，马自达宣布，计划停止在这家工厂生产中型车马自达6。 近年来，全球汽车行业中的兼并和联盟案例层出不穷。这么做主要是为了降低成本，即通过大量销售整车，摊薄由不断飞涨的新技术和新车型所推高的成本。一吉投资管理公司（Ichiyoshi Investment Management）首席基金经理秋野充成对路透社（Reuters）称：“我不认为马自达能继续靠自身独立运作，而由于它的前景仍不明朗，因此很难对它做出投资决策。” 马自达发言人杰里米•巴恩斯称：“尽管处境不利，但马自达始终坚持投资开发新产品。我们在美国的经销商传来的消息是，已有大批客户排队等候购买新款CX5（紧凑型酷越车）。” 克莱斯勒-菲亚特联盟主席马尔乔内已经明确表态，希望再寻找一位合作伙伴。而有人揣测，凭借自身出众的工程技术特长和临近亚洲市场的优势，马自达可能正是符合他要求的最佳侯选对象。马自达在美国仍然拥有很高的品牌知名度，还有众多热情不减、不离不弃的车迷。本月早些时候，在日内瓦车展（the Geneva Auto Show）上，马自达Takeri概念车全新亮相。这款车据说是新款马自达6这一中型车的瘦身版。它的亮相让众多评论人士欣喜不已，纷纷赞叹它那充满动感的外形。 漂亮的外观当然必不可少，但常常还不足以应付所需。而偿付能力才是不可或缺的立身之本。现在，靠着刚刚筹得的大把现金，墨西哥的新工厂，还有可能达成的结盟关系，可能足以让马自达公司继续生存下去。 译者：清远 |
Mazda had enjoyed a long-term alliance with Ford Motor Co. (F) until 2008 when the Detroit firm was forced to sell part of its equity stake in Mazda to raise cash. Mazda and Ford built cars together at an assembly plan in Flat Rock, Michigan. Last year Mazda announced plans to stop production of the larger Mazda 6 sedans there. The world auto industry has seen a number of mergers and alliances in recent years, meant to spread the soaring cost of new technology and models over a larger number of units sold. Mitsushige Akino, a chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management told Reuters "I don't think Mazda can continue on as an independent, and with its future vision still unknown, it's hard to make an investment decision on it." Jeremy Barnes, a Mazda spokesman, said "through all of this Mazda has continued to invest in product. Dealers in the U.S. tell us there are waiting lists for our new CX5 [compact crossover]." Sergio Marchionne, the chairman of the Chrysler-Fiat alliance, has been frank about his desire for another partner. And some wonder whether Mazda might be the right fit with its engineering prowess and proximity to Asian markets. Mazda still has strong brand awareness in the U.S. and a hardy band of enthusiasts. The Takeri design concept, supposedly a thinly-disguised version of the new Mazda 6 midsize sedan, was shown earlier this month at the Geneva Auto Show, to the delight of many reviewers who praised its swoopy exterior. Good looks are necessary, though often not sufficient. Solvency, however, is a must. Mazda's newly-raised cash, its venture in Mexico and perhaps even an alliance may be enough to keep it business .. |
