For nearly 20 years, Ford and Mazda jointly produce vehicles in the Flat Rock plant. A site that is running well below capacity, and where production of the Mazda6 will cease upon the arrival of the next generation, expected in 2013.

The plant in Flat Rock, Michigan opened in 1972 as a foundry for the production of V8 engines. Engines affected by the oil crisis, and Ford closed the site in 1981. Second birth for the site in 1985, when it was purchased by Mazda, which will begin to produce, from 1987, Mazda 626, MX-6 coupe, and the Ford Probe. The American manufacturer enters new stage in 1992 by buying half of the plant, which is a joint venture between the two manufacturers. The site then takes it name from Auto Alliance International. During the following years, the Mazda 626, Mazda6, Ford Contour, Mercury Mystique, Ford / Mercury Cougar to follow on the chains. The plant is found on the front of the scene in 2005 with the start of production of the Ford Mustang.

A Mustang is now more than two-thirds of the vehicles produced, with 78,000 copies last year against only 36,000 … Mazda6 barely half the capacity of the site. The model results are now considered inadequate, and Mazda plans to disengage from the site. The Mazda6 will continue to be produced until the end of his normal life, but the new generation, expected by 2013, will be imported from Japan. Both partners are currently discussing the future of the site. Most likely the outright withdrawal of Mazda could sell its shares in Ford.