The fourth-generation Mazda2 went into mass production at the Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) plant, which is jointly operated with Ford, at Rayong, with all of the initial output destined for Australia for November delivery.
The new model has Mazda’s SkyActiv engine, transmission and chassis technology.
With a market share of more than nine percent, Mazda Australia has one of the highest market penetrations in the Mazda world. Its Mazda2 fares even better, currently holding a 12.8 percent share of the light car segment.
New Mazda2
Once the Thai plant has fulfilled initial Australian orders, it will start producing cars for other markets in the ASEAN group and Oceania.
Mazda’s president Masamichi Kogai said putting a new model into production at three different plants around the world in quick succession was a “huge and challenging task. We call Hofu plant in Japan the ‘mother plant,’ and we are committed to ensuring that vehicles produced in Thailand and Mexico, for our customers around the world, are built to the same high quality standards as those in Japan,” he said.
Mazda’s BT-50 pick-up is also produced at the AAT plant, as is Ford’s Ranger pick-up, Fiesta light car and Focus small car.
