Mazda has announced that strong sales of its Mazda 3 model have prompted it to begin production of the car at the Ujina Plant No.2 (U2).
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The additional Mazda 3 assembly at the U2 plant, located near Mazda’s global headquarters, is projected to be two thousand units per month, and intended for the European, North American and Australian markets, where demand for the sporty compact is ‘brisk’ Mazda says.
The Mazda3 is already being produced at Mazda’s Hofu No.1 (H1) and No.2 (H2) plants in western Japan, where total production was 337,377 units in fiscal 2004.
Strong sales continue in key markets: 76,079 Mazda 3s sold in the U.S. in 2004, and from January through April 2005, U.S. Mazda 3 sales were 31,722 units, up 32 per cent over year-ago levels.
The U2 plant resumed operations in May 2004 on the strength of Mazda’s business recovery. Its flexible production line can manufacture compact cars through to minivans, and with the introduction of the eco-friendly Three Layer Wet Paint System, the U2 plant plays a prominent role as one of Mazda’s most advanced production sites, Mazda says.
Masaharu Yamaki, Mazda’s managing executive officer in charge of production and business logistics said, “One of the best characteristics of Mazda’s flexible manufacturing system is that it can respond quickly to production increases such as with the Mazda 3.
“The additional Mazda3 production at the U2 plant, in addition to the existing volume at Hofu No.1 and No.2 plants, not only showcases Mazda’s sophisticated production system, it also goes a long way to making sure that our customers around the world get the vehicle they want, when they want it.”
