Ford Motor Company sports car maker Aston Martin in 1989, later selling it on March 12, 2007, although retaining an 8% stake. Ford purchased Volvo Cars of Sweden in 1999, selling it to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010. In November 2008, it reduced its 33.4% controlling interest in Mazda of Japan to a 13.4% non-controlling interest. On November 18, 2010, Ford reduced their stake further to just 3%, citing the reduction of ownership would allow greater flexibility to pursue growth in emerging markets. Ford and Mazda remain strategic partners through exchanges of technological information and joint ventures, including an American joint venture
Geely Boyue much attention in the Chinese automobile market. The Proton X70 is a right hand drive version of the Geely Boyue with minor cosmetic differences. On 24 May 2017, PROTON Holdings parent company DRB-HICOM announced plans to sell a 49.9% stake in Proton to Zhejiang Geely Automobile Holdings. Alongside the sale of stake, it was announced that Proton's first SUV would be based of the Geely Boyue. In April 2018, Proton opened up an online poll to the public to vote on the name. Participants could choose between: PX7, X7, X70 and X700 or voice in their own input. Latter that