ASH8

Mazda Commences Production of Mazda2 at New Passenger Car Plant in Thailand

HIROSHIMA, Japan—

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has commenced production of the Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) at the new passenger car plant at AutoAlliance Thailand Co., Ltd. (AAT), a joint venture manufacturing facility with Ford Motor Company. Mazda2 units produced at AAT will be sold mainly in the ASEAN markets.

To celebrate the start of production, AAT today held a ceremony at the new passenger car plant in Rayong’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate. The ceremony was attended by executive officers from Mazda’s head office in Japan, including Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Masazumi Wakayama and Managing Executive Officer Yuji Nakamine.

The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be one of Mazda’s core products in the ASEAN region, with ASEAN sales targeted at approximately 20,000 units per year.

“The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be a key element in Mazda’s future growth in the ASEAN region, which is continuing to see growing demand for small cars. We consider that the Mazda2 model will also play a pivotal role in Mazda’s global strategy,” said Mazda’s Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Masazumi Wakayama, before the ceremony.

“Since its launch, the Mazda2 has received more than 50 awards globally, including Car of the Year in over 20 countries. In 2008, Mazda2 was named World Car of the Year, acclaimed for its beautiful design, sporty driving performance, and outstanding eco-friendly features,” added Wakayama. “I firmly believe that the Mazda2 being built at our state-of-the-art facility in Thailand will make an immense contribution toward establishing the Mazda brand in ASEAN markets and will be our main driving force in the region as we go forward.”

ASH8

This is also the new 2010-11 Face-Lift 'Happy" Mazda 2, the same you guys will get in the US..

More than likely Made in Japan at Mazda's Ujina Plant, Hiroshima.

REMEMBER...This car was designed by the same Japanese guy and now head of design who also sculptured our RX-8's!!

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

do we know what engine(s) are coming to US?

ASH8

Hi mate..

As far as I know you will get the same 1.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT
Engine capacity of 1,498cc. We get in Australia.

I think there is a 1.3 for Europe/UK and a diesel, I doubt you will get either of those...

kvndoom

Ewww, you said the "d" word. Not in MY country, damn it! :P

The smile doesn't look nearly as bad on the 2 as it does on the 3.

ASH8

D D D D D D D D word...

Have been seeing lots of new 3's on the road here, they really do not look that bad, funny how you get used to it, all they (Mazda) need to do it bring in the SMILE a little like the new Mazda 2, the 3's is just that little bit too wide for the car.
The Mazda 2 is just right.

The new 3 is selling very well here...

In actual fact Mazda are doing very well down under, if you took all the fleet sales out of Toyota #1 here, GMH #2 and Ford #3 Mazda at a very close #4 to Ford, Mazda would be Number 1 in "private" car sales.

In other words more Mazda's are sold to private buyers in Australia than any other brand of car...BIG statement I know, but they would not be that far behind Toyota as 40% of their sales are fleet and Government, like Holden and Ford.
Mazda sell very few fleets sales.