Mazda begins Mazda2 production in Mexico

Production of Mazda2 began at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation last week in Salamanca, said a report by Autoblog.

Mazda2 is the next in a series of vehicles featuring the company's SkyActiv technology, which they anticipate will "zoom-zoom" to 85 percent of global sales by March 2016. SkyActiv combines the light-weighting of the vehicle body with the development of aerodynamic improvements and a better transmission. Forbes reported that this creates benefits that rival those of hybrids and electric cars.

Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation is the third facility the company has developed in its quest to increase its global production footprint, following the Hofu Plant in Japan and Auto Alliance Co., Ltd., in Thailand. The automotive giant entered the Mexican market in 2005 and established MMVO in 2011. In addition to the auto assembly plant, Mazda's engine machining plant has also begun operation in Mexico. The facility adopts the same advanced production capabilities as Mazda's plant in Japan and can produce a wide range of products. 

"With the start of production of all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with SkyActiv products of the same high-quality level as those made in Japan," said Keishi Egawa, president of MMVO, in a recent press release. "At the same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to Mexico's further economic growth."

According to a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, Mexico produced 267,674 vehicles last month, which is the best September on record. As proximity to the U.S. becomes increasingly more important to vehicle producers manufacturing in Mexico, the country has seen a consistent increase in foreign investment and economic growth.