Plans to Bolster Mazda Domestic Production Are in the Works
Mazda Motor Corporation recently announced it has big plans for its production in the United States. It is teaming up with fellow Japanese carmaker Toyota to increase production and concentrate manufacturing in North America. That also means the carmaker will shift production of Mazda vehicles away from other countries like China. Mazda’s domestic production is going to make a big splash in the U.S. automotive market!
Goals to Increase U.S. Market Share
To achieve its goal of increasing the capability of Mazda production facilities in the U.S., Mazda is partnering with Japanese automaker Toyota. The partnership will allow Mazda to draw tips and tricks from Toyota’s considerable local market knowledge and reputation for reliability. Through its new production shift, Mazda hopes to increase the market share of Mazda production and sales. Specifically, the company has a goal of increasing U.S. sales by about 30% to 450,000 units over the next three to four years by restarting local production.
New Plant in Alabama With Partners
Mazda recently opened a joint venture manufacturing plant with Toyota in Alabama, where the exciting new Mazda CX-50 SUVs were produced. The U.S.-based plant allowed the Mazda brand vehicles to overflow with efficient technologies co-created by the two automakers. The Alabama plant is also designed for production of electric vehicles in the future. Mazda implemented its own version of Toyota’s Just-In-Time strategy, where Toyota uses its supply chain such that only parts which are needed to manufacture just-ordered vehicles are received on time.
Techniques From Both Sides
On the partnership, Masashi Aihara, head of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing said, “Under President Akio Toyoda, Toyota is always looking to change the way it does things, and learn from partners like Mazda. The feeling is mutual…I remember times when we both realized that we were doing things a certain way as it had become second nature. But we came up with an efficient hybrid method that would integrate techniques from both sides.”
Potential in the Japanese Market
Through its partnership with Toyota, Mazda will introduce its vehicles and also ramp up assembly plants domestic production in Hiroshima, Japan. The Japanese automotive market is the second largest in the world, so Mazda sees great potential in investing with Toyota. New manufacturers, like Apple and Sony, could be entering the Japanese market soon, so Mazda is getting in before competition heats up.
Visit Mazda of Orland Park!
We are an employee-owned Mazda dealership staffed with long-term employees who are dedicated to giving you the award-winning customer service you deserve. Not only do we have a great selection of new and pre-owned Mazda models, but we also have an excellent Mazda service department. Visit our dealership or contact us to learn more about Mazda’s plans to bolster domestic production.
