- For other uses of the name AutoAlliance, see AutoAlliance.
AutoAlliance International (
AAI) is the name of a
joint venture automobile assembly firm co-owned by
Ford Motor Company and
Mazda Motor Corporation. Located in
Flat Rock, Michigan, Mazda purchased Ford's unused Michigan Casting Center for production of 626 sedans. The plant opened in September 1987 as
Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA). AAI produced all of the
Mazda MX-6 and
Ford Probes sold in America since 1987, and all models of the
Mazda 626 sold in America since 1993. Ford bought 50% of the plant back on April 15, 1992, and built the
Ford Contour-derived
Mercury Cougar from 1999 to 2002. It became a joint-venture and was renamed on July 1, 1992 as Ford took over operational management.It now produces the
Mazda6 and the latest version of the
Ford Mustang. The factory is unionized (UAW). Ford owns a controlling interest in the Mazda corporation. Ford owns worldwide a one-third controlling interest in Mazda (33,4%).
