Mazda
has integrated its European research and development operation into Mazda Motor
Europe GmbH (MME).
The centre at Oberursel, Germany, was previously a division of Mazda Motor
Corporation of Japan.
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The company said this move was “a significant step” in its plans
to start European production of the Demio replacement at Ford’s Valencia
plant in early 2003 and “develop product concepts, special versions, technical
services and additional customer service opportunities specifically for Europe”.
Akira Marumoto, director of European R&D and production, becomes executive
vice president of MME, with his own areas of responsibility, from 1 July.
“The R&D centre previously reported directly to Japan but now, as
part of Mazda Motor Europe, it will play an even greater role in influencing
the engineering and design of new models to suit the European market,”
said MME president Jan Brentebråten.
Mazda Motor Europe is restructuring its distribution activities, taking direct
responsibility for an increasing number of markets across Europe.
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By GlobalDataMME already controls distribution in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France
and is currently negotiating to take over distribution from the current privately-owned
importer in the UK while reviewing other markets.
MME wants to be directly responsible for 70 percent of its European sales volume
by the end of 2001 and to further increase this percentage during 2002.
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