The all-new Mazda2 (see story on the car's debut here) will be made for the Chinese market at the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. plant in Nanjing, China, Ford announced today. The Nanjing-produced Mazda2 model has been "specifically developed ... to suit the tastes of the Chinese market," but what those developments are was not announced. The Nanjing plant will be able to make 160,000 units a year and "will feature cutting-edge eco-friendliness, efficiency, and an employee-friendly working environment," Ford says. When the Mazda2 was unveiled in Geneva last month it was announced it would have 1.3 and 1.5L engines ranging from 75hp to 103hp.
Ford also announced today that "an all-new Ford small car will be produced at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company Nanjing plant in 2008."
[Source: Ford]
MAZDA TO PRODUCE ALL-NEW MAZDA2 FOR THE CHINESE MARKET AT CHANGAN FORD MAZDA AUTOMOBILE NANJING PLANT
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor (China) Co. Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation's management affiliate for the Chinese market, has announced that Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA) will produce the all-new Mazda2 at its plant in Nanjing, China. The announcement was made at a pre-show media event Mazda held on April 19, 2007, in advance of the Shanghai International Motor Show. The Nanjing plant is a joint venture with Mazda's partners in China, the Ford Motor Company and the Changan Automobile Group.
The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda's new generation of products to evolve to the next stage. Its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show at the beginning of March 2007 met with great acclaim. Mazda has specifically developed the Mazda2 model that will be produced at the Nanjing plant to suit the tastes of the Chinese market.
The Nanjing vehicle manufacturing plant will have an annual capacity of 160,000 units and will be based on Mazda's production system. The plant will feature cutting-edge eco-friendliness, efficiency, and an employee-friendly working environment. Manufacturing equipment for stamping, body assembly, painting and final assembly lines has already been installed, and verification trials have begun in line with plans to commence production at the plant by the end of 2007. Adjacent to the vehicle plant, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., is in the final phase of construction and will commence production soon.
Mazda's director and senior managing executive officer in charge of China Business, Kiyoshi Ozaki, commented at the media event held April 19: "Through the construction of the Nanjing manufacturing and engine plants, Mazda and our partners will not only be able to achieve business growth, but we also expect the plants will contribute to the development of the local community and the Chinese economy."
Mazda will maintain its pursuit of harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety performance, and always strive to be a brand that provides an exhilarating driving experience.
In order to achieve our mid-term target of production and sales of 300,000 units in China in 2010, we will continue to offer Zoom-Zoom products to our customers in China.
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue