Ford-Mazda ready to ink European partnership deal

Since 1989, Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. have been discussing the idea of Ford of Europe building a vehicle for Mazda to rebadge and sell in Europe. it now appears the deal is imminent. The choice has reportedly been narrowed to a Mazda-badged vehicle based on the Ford Fiesta. Ford probably will build it in Cologne, Germany, rather than at Fiesta plants in the U.K. or Spain. Production could start late this year, with initial annual output around 30,000 vehicles.