Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that production has
begun at its new plant in Mexico. The plant, named Mazda de Mexico Vehicle
Operation* (MMVO), is located in Salamanca, in the state of Guanajuato. The
first model produced was a Mazda3 sedan (known as Axela in Japan) for the USA.
Regarding the commencement of production, Mazda's Managing
Executive Officer in charge of New Emerging Market Operation (Latin America)
and President and CEO of Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
(Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation), Keishi Egawa said, "We have sent over
150 engineers and supervisors to Mazda's plants in Hiroshima and Hofu, and made
every effort to ensure that we are manufacturing products of the highest
quality here at MMVO. With the start of mass production, we now have a system
capable of offering vehicles of the same high quality as those made in Japan,
on a global scale, and that is extremely gratifying. We are committed to
continue our efforts to contribute to the growth of Mexico's economy through
the production of vehicles and the development of the excellent human resources
who support and lead the automobile industry here."