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Mazda to axe 25% of jobs in U.S. and Europe

Zach Bowman — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials

Automotive News Europe reports that struggling Japanese automaker Mazda is set to cut a total of 250 jobs in the U.S. and Europe. The cuts, originally reported by Japan's Nikkei, come as part of new reorganization efforts and represent 25 percent of the company's staff in both markets. Mazda has registered losses for the past four years due in part to slow sales and a stronger yen. As a result, the company is looking to tighten its belt around the world.

Mazda will slim its workforce to under 200 workers at a subsidiary in Germany, while the manufacturer's sales staff in California and Michigan will fall to around 550 employees. The news comes on the heels of a buyout last month that saw 107 U.S. employees leave voluntarily. Currently, Mazda has no plans to cut its Japanese workforce, though some reorganization may take place on the home front in the coming months. Those efforts are largely expected to consist of moving workers from satellite offices in Tokyo and Osaka to the home base in Hiroshima.

Mazda to axe 25% of jobs in U.S. and Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over 100 take buyouts at Mazda USA ahead of layoffs

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:14:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Mazda, Earnings/Financials

Mazda sales are up 22 percent this year, but the company's American operation is enduring acute pain. It is in the midst of a complete, five-month reorganization while trying to raise funds and shrink its workforce. In March, Mazda announced its intention to offer voluntary buyouts to its U.S. employees, after which it would assess the plan and then lay off other workers if needed. Of the firm's 701 local workers, 107 have accepted the voluntary buyout.

Having seen its North American year-over-year operating loss swell by more than 25 percent to $505 million from $397 million, every aspect of the company has come under review. Mazda has said it doesn't know if involuntary layoffs will be necessary yet, but CEO Takashi Yamanouchi does know this: "It's a must-win situation."

Over 100 take buyouts at Mazda USA ahead of layoffs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda and Hyundai trim North American workforces

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Hyundai, Mazda

Foreign automakers Mazda and Hyundai are trimming their ranks of workers in the United States. Mazda saw its sales decline by over 10% in 2008 and the new year is shaping up to be significantly worse as the Japanese automaker posted a sales decline of 27.3% in January compared to the previous year. In response, roughly 110 Mazda employees were laid off this month from a total of about 800 employees.

Unlike Mazda, Hyundai was one of the few automakers to actually record a sales increase last year and again posted positive numbers in January 2009. Regardless, the Korean automaker has also trimmed its ranks in the U.S. by about 46 employees, suggesting that Hyundai forecasts tough roads ahead, as well. Most of the employees being let go by both automakers come from their sales and marketing departments.

[Source: Automotive News (Mazda) (Hyundai) - sub. req'd]

Mazda and Hyundai trim North American workforces originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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