Mazda Starts Production at Mexican Facility

On January 7, Mazda assembled its first model on Mexican soil at its plant, located in Salamanca, in the state of Guanajuato. The complex is named the Mazda Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO).

The first car was a Mazda3 sedan, which will be exported to the United States. Mazda3 models produced in Mexico will be sold in North America and Europe. The company also intends to produce the Mazda2 at the facility in the near future.

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For those concerned with potential quality issues, 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 autmobile industry here."

Mazda has a goal of building 230,000 vehicles annually by 2016.