HIROSHIMA: Mazda has announced that it will produce the new CX-5 crossover at its Hofu plant in Yamaguchi prefecture in addition to the Hiroshima plant where it is currently produced. The move will help the automaker respond quickly and flexibly to growing demand for SUVs globally.
Mazda aims to create a production system that can respond flexibly to changes in demand for crossover vehicles as it works to meet its global sales goal of 1.65 million units, as laid out in its Structural Reform Stage 2 medium-term business plan (covering the period from fiscal year ending (FYE) March 2017 through FYE March 2019). In December last year the company began producing the CX-3 subcompact crossover at the Hofu plant in addition to the Hiroshima plant.
Launched domestically in February, the CX-5 is proving hugely popular. The one-month sales reached 16,639 units, about seven times the monthly target.
“As with the CX-3, starting production of the CX-5 at Hofu plant as well is part of our plan to build a production framework that gives us more flexibility between plants and between models,” said Masatoshi Maruyama, Managing Executive Officer in charge of Global Production. “We will do everything we can to get customers the crossover vehicles they want as quickly as possible.”
Mazda will continue its efforts to enrich people’s lives through a variety of touchpoints and become a brand with which customers feel a strong emotional connection.
