Many automotive companies have spent a good deal of time in the past year scrutinizing how and where they can reduce spending and enhance overall global production efficiencies. The global economic crisis wasn't that long ago and here in the U.S., the economy is still struggling? But, enough pontificating. Lets talk about what Mazda found and decided to do about the situation.

In their vigorous assessments, Mazda identified one area in particular where efficiencies are far less than par: the production of midsize cars. As such, the Japanese automaker has decided to target this segment.

The action point: Moving production of midsize Mazda cars to the company's Hofu facility in Yamuguchi. That said, contrary to certain whisperings, Mazda is not planning to halt all U.S. production. The 2011 MAZDA6, for example, will continue to be built at the AAI center until the end of its current cycle plan.

That's not to say things couldn't change, moving forward. But, for the time being, Mazda is moving only midsize sedan production back to Japan in an effort to conserve costs. In a meeting on the company's decision to shift production of its next midsize car (CD-car), Takashi Yamanuochi, Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation said, "Our intention is to transfer production of our next CD-car for North America from AAI and consolidate it at Hofu in order to improve production and investment efficiencies and optimize business...The decision to relocate to Hofu and consolidate the production of the next CD-car makes the most business sense."¹

Interested in learning more about Mazda's operational evolvements? Stay tuned. Superior Mazda, located at 2600 SE Moberly Lane Bentonville, AR, is dedicated to keeping you current.

Source:  ¹

http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/next-midsize-mazda-car-north-america-be-built-hofu-japan