Ford And Mazda: A Strong International Relationship

During the 1990s, Ford Motor Company went on an international buying spree snapping up small automakers around the globe. Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin all were brought within the Ford fold, and Mazda, by default has become part of Fords line up even though the Japanese automaker is only partly owned by Ford. Ford parts and Mazda parts are sometimes interchangeable as well as are some of their vehicles. Lets examine closely the relationship between the two automakers and how their synergies benefit both companies.

The relationship between Ford and Mazda has been growing over the years, but is well known by auto historians as having started in the early 1970s when the Mazda pick up truck was imported to the North American market by Ford and called the Courier. From 1972 to 1983, the Courier was part of the Ford line up, but in reality it was a Mazda.

From 1984 on, Ford decided to build its own small pickup truck and the Ranger was born. Mazda, meanwhile, redesigned their truck and sold it separately until 2002. When time came for a new Mazda truck, Mazda tapped Ford and the current Ranger was rebadged as the Mazda B series.

From 1991 to 2001 Ford's Explorer was rebadged and sold as the Mazda Navajo. Only a two door version was available and the line was eventually dropped as Mazda concentrated on their own SUV, namely the Tribute.

Are you confused yet? Dont be as the two automakers have exchanged parts and vehicles for decades.

In the early part of this decade, Ford, which has a very strong truck division, needed a vehicle that was smaller and less costly than the pricey midsize Explorer to complement the fleet. Enter Mazda. Mazda designed and released the car-like Tribute for their own division, and a Ford version of the SUV, the Escape, was built by Ford in the US. Together, the vehicles have competed successfully against Toyotas RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

For 2006, the Ford/Mazda relationship really heats up with the release of three cars based on the highly touted Mazda 6 platform: the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the "near luxury" Lincoln Zephyr. All three sedans share similar components and borrow heavily from Fords relationship with Mazda.

If you purchase a Ford or Mazda product that has in fact been rebadged will the Ford parts and the Mazda parts be the same? Good question! Major sections like the frame are likely to be the same, but many key components including suspension parts, brakes, and electrical parts, may be different. A better thing to do when purchasing replacement Ford or Mazda parts is to check your vehicles owners manual or visit a reputable online store, such as Car Parts Stuff, for the right parts for your make and model. You may think you are getting the same parts, but you can only be certain if you verify that information.

Ford and Mazda have a relationship that appears to be mutually beneficial to the two automakers. Judging by the new products being offered, the relationship is certain to grow stronger in the coming years.

Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Car Parts Stuff, an online supplier of high quality and well priced automobile parts. You can find out more about quality Ford parts or Mazda parts by visiting this site.

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Holistic Medicine Vs Traditional Western Medicine - Which is Right For You?

When it comes to acute conditions such as broken bones, raging infections, stroke, heart attack, or trauma injury, traditional western medicine has a great advantage over holistic medicine in terms of addressing the conditions quickly, thoroughly and in ways that are just not possible with natural approaches to health.

Traditional western medicine also has a myriad of sophisticated diagnostic tools ranging from blood work to digital mammograms that can help detect and prevent disease in ways that are not available with holistic methods.

Yet, when it comes to chronic conditions, illnesses that linger in the body, holistic approaches often offer a more effective opportunity to balance root issues that cause disease.

Holistic techniques often involve the use of herbal medicine, aromatherapy and various bodywork therapies ranging from acupuncture, dietary changes, healing exercise, acupressure, medical qi gong, massage and chiropractic adjustments.

Many people who partake of holistic methods may find that they are able to work with their medical doctors to lower dosages or eliminate pharmaceutical medications as their health improves.

However, there are also cautions about holistic approaches. Some practitioners advocate the use of mega-dosages of certain supplements, colonics and parasitic cleanses, and strong detoxifying herbs. While these approaches can be helpful, they are not appropriate for all people, especially for individuals with fragile systems.

Also people, without formal training, may take it upon themselves to try to self-treat or suggest holistic remedies to friends or family members with no knowledge of how such remedies might impact the body other than what they've read in books. They think, "Well, it's all natural so what could it hurt to try this or that?"

Natural does not always mean safe.

For example, one client listened to a relative's advice to engage in colonic and parasitic cleanses that contained high levels of magnesium and potassium and cooling herbs. Yet, this client had weak kidneys and other health issues that made these therapies contraindicated.

The result? She is now on dialysis twice a week because such natural approaches permanently damaged her kidneys.

The best way to partake of holistic care is to work with a certified or licensed professional who has experience with assessing which natural remedies are most appropriate for your specific body and health challenges.

Such professionals are trained to consider all the factors impacting health to optimize healing in a balanced way with various natural healing protocols.

In addition to developing balanced protocols, some practitioners like myself emphasize a complementary and integrative approach instead of alternative approach. Thus, integrative holistic practitioners support the work of western medical professionals by using herbs and acupressure to enhance western based therapies so that clients get the best of both worlds.

For clients who wish to go the all-natural route, an integrative practitioner will explore if that is most beneficial on an individual basis instead of taking the position that natural is always better.

In contrast, an alternative practitioner will tend to emphasize that natural is the best way and rarely will recommend integrating western medical strategies, although responsible alternative practitioners will also acknowledge the limitations of their scope of practice and make referrals to medical physicians when appropriate.

To make a comment on this article or pose health questions, visit the free Health Prosperity blog at http://aikihealing.com/wordpress/?p=62

Kay Hutchinson is a practitioner of Chinese medicine, energetic life coach and teacher of qi gong movement. She is the founder of Aiki Healing, a private practice in Austin, Texas, and the publisher of "Health Prosperity" a blog dedicated to empowering people to manifest optimum health and wellness.

Join the Health Prosperity blog mailing list or RSS feed today to receive these helpful strategies in your email box.

http://www.aikihealing.com

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