At a press conference in Tokyo, Masamichi Kogai, head of Mazda, confirmed its planned Mexican facility is ready to go. "I just visited the Mexican plant and all preparations are complete. This factory will become a crucial overseas base for Mazda," he told reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Significance: IHS Automotive forecasts that Mazda will build about 270,000 units annually from the new Mexico facility, which will build cars for Mazda as well as a new B-car for Toyota. For Mazda, the plant will provide the Mazda 2, 3 and CX-5. Mazda is struggling against larger competitors, and needs to add production outside the high-cost-base Japanese market. The Mexico facility will enable the potential for exports to South America as well as North America. Mazda is also building an engine facility to go along with the vehicle production capacity.
