Mazda2 production fires up in Mexico

Fri, 24 Oct 2014

Mazda has officially kicked off production of the next-generation Mazda2 at the company's new factory in Salamanca, Mexico. Alongside the auto assembly plant, operations have also commenced at the facility's engine machining factory.

"With the start of production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with Skyactiv products of the same high quality level as those made in Japan," Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation's President Keishi Egawa said in a statement. "At the same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to Mexico's further economic growth."

MMVO joins Mazda's Hofu Plant in Japan and the Auto Alliance factory in Thailand, which commenced Mazda2 production in July and September, respectively.

Scroll down for the full press release from Mazda.

Mazda Begins Manufacturing the All-new Mazda2 in Mexico
Oct 23, 2014

– Operations also underway at engine machining plant –

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that production of the all-new Mazda2 (Mazda Demio in Japan) has begun at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO), the company's new plant in Mexico. Additionally, MMVO's engine machining plant,* under construction since last year, has been completed and the plant began operating on October 21, 2014. Mazda products featuring SKYACTIV Technology are enjoying strong sales globally and in response to growing demand the company will increase production capacity at MMVO to 250,000 units annually by fiscal year ending March 2016.

In recent years, Mazda has introduced a series of vehicles featuring innovative SKYACTIV Technology and the company expects SKYACTIV models to account for 85 percent of global sales by fiscal year ending March 2016. Additionally, the automaker is working to establish a global production footprint, one of four key initiatives laid out in the Structural Reform Plan announced in February 2012. The start of production of the all-new Mazda2 at MMVO, start of operations at the engine machining plant, and planned production capacity increase represent major steps forward in both of the above initiatives. MMVO's engine machining plant adopts the same advanced production technologies as Mazda's Hiroshima Plant, ensuring an engine parts processing line that is both efficient and capable of producing a diverse range of products.

MMVO President Keishi Egawa said, "With the start of production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with SKYACTIV products of the same high quality level as those made in Japan. At the same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to Mexico's further economic growth."

MMVO is Mazda's third global facility to begin manufacturing the all-new Mazda2 following Hofu Plant in Japan, where production started in July, and Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., where production began in September. Moving forward, Mazda aims to enrich the lives of its customers through a variety of contact points including the manufacture of high-quality vehicles, and become a brand which maintains a special bond with those customers.

* A plant where forged engine parts are shaped by a controlled material-removal process.

By Brandon Turkus