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Mazda announces Takata expansion in US to 472k vehicles [UPDATE]

Update: Mazda is revising the total number of vehicles affected by its Takata airbag inflator recall downward to 464,684 units, compared to the original NHTSA documents showing 472,056. According to Mazda Public Affairs Manager Tamara Mlynarczyk to Autoblog, "It is my understanding that Mazda Japan will be submitting a revised Part 573 on Monday that reflects our numbers." The company's official statement on the recall is now included below. Mazda is the latest automaker in the US to officially announce the details of its expanded Takata airbag inflator recall. The company is broadening its campaign to cover a total of 472,056 vehicles. Mazda's airbag inflator recall covers now the front driver's side for the 2003-2008 Mazda6 produced between May 29, 2002, and May 5, 2008, the 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 from between April 10, 2003, and February 18, 2008, and the 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 made between August 4, 2005, and June 29, 2007. Among these three models there are 444,907 units affected. This is an expansion from of the previous total of about 330,000 examples from 2004-2008. The passenger-side airbag of the 2004-2006 B-Series pickup is also being recalled for those with build dates between April 17, 2003, and May 2, 2006. There are 27,149 of these vehicles in need of replacement parts. Takata's airbag inflator recalls have affected 34 million vehicles nationwide from 11 automakers. In a recent hearing before Congress, Takata said it was producing 740,000 replacement kits a month and hoped to grow that to a million. Other suppliers have also started making the parts. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture Report Receipt Date: JUN 04, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V345000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 444,907 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) MAZDA MAZDA6 2003-2008 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 2006-2007 MAZDA RX-8 2004-2008 Details Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations SUMMARY: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 29, 2002, to May 5, 2008, 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles manufactured August 4, 2005, to June 29, 2007.

Mazda names new North American chief

Mazda has announced today the appointment of a new president and CEO of its North American operations. Jim O'Sullivan, who has been running the office for 13 years, is now leaving the company. In his place the head office has appointed veteran manager Masahiro Moro, and as you can see, he could not be more thrilled with the appointment. A 55-year-old native of Kyoto, Moro has been with Mazda since 1983. One of the company's managing executive officers, Moro currently heads up its global sales and marketing division. He also previously served as vice president of marketing and of product planning for Mazda Motor Europe, and as director of the company's Australian operations. He'll now be relocating with his wife and family to Southern California to take over the North American division based out of Irvine, effective January 1. His predecessor Jim O'Sullivan has held the office since 2003, also ranked as one of the Japanese automaker's managing executive officers. The Detroit native previously worked at Ford, where he started his career in 1976. "I have been very lucky that the car business has afforded me so many incredible experiences, and taught me so much. However, now is the right time for me to retire from Mazda," said the 40-year industry veteran of his departure from the company in the statement below. "I don't know how the next chapter in my life will read, but it's time for me to spend time with my wonderful wife, my children and my grandchildren. I've travelled the world for nearly 40 years, who knows what the future holds?" Related Video: Masahiro Moro Named President, Mazda North American Operations - Jim O'Sullivan, Current President, to Retire after 13 Years Leading the Company - IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced the appointment of Masahiro Moro to the position of President and CEO, MNAO. Moro, a Managing Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation, will take over from Jim O'Sullivan, the company's long-serving outgoing president, who will be retiring from the company. The changes were announced today to company employees, and will be effective January 1, 2016. O'Sullivan joined MNAO as President and CEO in 2003, and also held the title of Managing Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation.

Weekly Recap: Toyota, Mazda team up to 'make cars better'

Toyota and Mazda are teaming for a noble purpose: to "make cars better." That's how the two Japanese automakers termed their partnership, which was announced this week. So what does this actually mean? The companies said they will set up a joint committee to look for areas of cooperation and named safety and the environment as issues they plan to tackle. From a product perspective, it's believed that Toyota is interested in Mazda's Skyactive engine portfolio. In turn, Mazda has its eye on Toyota's fuel-cell and plug-in hybrid technology. While more specifics were not confirmed, the companies said the "agreement will go beyond the traditional framework of cooperation," and it has the potential to be a long-range partnership. "The main purpose of this initiative is to enhance the appeal of our cars," Toyota president Akio Toyoda said at the announcement. Previously, Mazda has licensed Toyota's hybrid tech and assembled compact cars for Toyota in Mexico. Akio Toyoda said these projects "triggered" the automakers to explore further collaboration. Dave Sullivan, product analysis manager for AutoPacific, said the tie-up echoes Daimler's wide-ranging work with the Renault-Nissan alliance. "This could be a well-groomed match due to each having very unique skill sets," he said. OTHER NEWS & NOTES Volvo selects South Carolina for US factory Volvo confirmed this week that it will build its first US factory in South Carolina, with construction set to begin this fall. The company first revealed plans in March, though it didn't announce a site. The plant will have initial annual production of 100,000 units, though the vehicle or vehicles to be assembled were not specified. The factory, located near Charleston, will open in 2018 and ultimately employ 4,000 people. The facility will help Volvo continue its growth strategy, which includes strengthening its presence in the US market, where it wants to sell more than 100,000 cars per year. "Building a plant in the US is a reflection of Volvo Cars' commitment to the US and the key role the US plays in our growth objectives," Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice president, Americas, said in a statement. Ford GT spied on the road The 2017 Ford GT was spotted testing around the Blue Oval's headquarters in Dearborn, MI, this week. The raw body panels were exposed, and they lacked paint or camouflage. It's the first time the GT has been captured on the street after a spring of auto show reveals.