Mazda – Page 4
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ArticleAirbag anxieties
Inflated market growth and faulty technology mean both problems and opportunities for airbag productionThe airbag sector is unfortunately probably best known at present for its recall problems, especially those involving the Japanese supplier Takata. While Takata has been by far the worst offender in delivering faulty airbags, or more particularly ...
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ArticleJapan shifts toward consolidation
Toyota will complete its takeover of Daihatsu later this year and already effectively controls Subaru. Since 2015, it has also had a wide-ranging technical alliance with Mazda, although without any capital involvement on either side.Full control of Subaru and Mazda by the largest Japanese car company may well transpire before ...
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ArticleGKN starts production at Villagran
Mexico – Built at a cost of $17.5m, the 12,000 sq.m facility in the central state of Guanajuato will support both local and global demand for all-wheel drive vehicles. The plant is now making a new type of propshaft, the GKN VLi, which its maker claims is fast to assemble ...
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ArticleMazda MX-5 reaches 1m units
Japan – The milestone was reached on April 22, after 27 years of mass production at Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima. Mazda is currently making the fourth generation of the model, known as the Roadster in Japan.The original MX-5 debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. A generation later, ...
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Mazda announces recruitment plan
Japan – The vehicle-maker will offer 205 engineering, 260 manufacturing and 40 administrative positions in its home country in the fiscal year ending (FYE) March 2018. Mazda also released estimated recruitment figures for FYE March 2017.Recruits for FYE March 2017 will total 475, broken down into 185 engineering, 260 manufacturing ...
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ArticleThailand to be rivalled by Indonesia as auto hub
Indonesia – The production gap between the two countries was around 810,000 units in 2015 but is set to narrow to 465,000 by 2020, according to the ‘Indonesia Outlook 2020’ report by Ipsos Business Consulting. This change will have implications for vehicle-makers, suppliers and policy planners, says the organisation.“The evidence ...
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ArticleMazda Ujina starts CX-9 manufacture
Japan – The three-row, mid-size crossover is now being made at Ujina Plant No.1 at Hiroshima, with the first units destined for the US and Canada. Mazda says the CX-9 has been tailored for the North American market, which it expects to account for 80% of the forecast global sales ...
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Toyota’s North American output hit 2m in 2015
US – The OEM reports that it made a record 2,035,028 vehicles and 1,933,702 engines, citing the “key drivers” for its increased production as low fuel prices, an improving economy and strong demand for the Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and Tacoma. Last year also included a number of production launches and ...
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Moro to lead Mazda in North America
US – Replacing Jim O’Sullivan, who is retiring, Masahiro Moro becomes president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). Moro is currently managing executive officer at Mazda Motor Corporation; he takes up his new role with immediate effect.Moro will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of MNAO’s business in the ...
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ArticleAAT starts making Mazda’s new CX-3
Thailand – Following the start of production at Hiroshima Plant, Japan, in December last year, Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) has become the second operation to manufacture the model, and the first overseas location to do so.“AAT is an extremely important hub that consolidates our system for supplying the CX-3 promptly ...
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ArticleOUT NOW: North America 2015
Much of the talk about the automotive industry today focuses on emerging markets such as India and China, but in fact one of its oldest heartlands – the US – is experiencing a new bout of manufacturing investment after finally pulling clear of the last vestiges of the 2008 recession. ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Rising higher
At a time of renewed confidence for the automotive industry in North America comes the news that one manufacturer, Volkswagen, has been misleading US regulators over vehicle emissions. While other OEMs have experienced damaging scandals in the recent past, it is difficult to think of anything more likely to repel ...
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ArticleGKN breaks ground at Guanajuato
Mexico – After becoming fully operational in April 2016, the $17.5m, 12,000 sq.m facility at Villagran will produce up to 1m propshafts per year for customers including Audi, BMW, FCA, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. The plant will boast constant velocity joint machining capabilities and a new painting line.“The ...
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ArticleNorth America's rise before a fall?
Global vehicle-makers are investing in their manufacturing operations across the US and Mexico; AMS reviews the latest developments – and how they position the automotive industry for the next downturnGM splashes the cashFord shuffles production line-upFCA holds back on expansionToyota prepares for mega-platformNissan expands in the US and MexicoHonda boosts ...
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ArticleInterview: Keishi Egawa, Mazda
The OEM’s president and CEO in Mexico explains what its first North American factory means to MazdaKeishi Egawa, president and CEO, MMVOAMS: To what extent has the new Salamanca factory been inspired by Mazda’s plants in Japan, and is the level of production technology just as high?Keishi Egawa (KE): The ...
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ArticleA magnet for manufacturing
Low-cost labour and free-trade deals are attracting investment in Mexico by global OEMs and suppliersVehicle production is booming in Mexico. In 2014, a record 3.22m vehicles were made there, an increase of nearly 10% on 2013. Much of the rising production was in response to strong demand from the US ...
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ArticleLightweight Vehicle Manufacturing
UK – The inaugural joining, forming and assembly summit will take place in Birmingham on November 18-19 2015, as part of the GALM series of events. Taking place over three continents, the previous ten shows have attracted the support of 150 exhibitors and 1,500 delegates, according to the organisers.The event ...
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ArticleHonda: Getting Fit in Mexico
The Japanese OEM has designated its Mexican factory at Celaya as its centre of small-car production in the Americas – while a new transmission plant will take its total investment in the region to $21 billionWith the opening of its Celaya plant in central Mexico at the start of last ...
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ArticleMazda launches first transmission plant outside Japan
Thailand – Located in Chonburi province, Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing Thailand (MPMT) has been producing SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmissions – also made at Hofu in Japan – since January this year. The official opening ceremony occurred on August 7.The plant has the capacity to make 400,000 units per year to supply Mazda’s ...
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ArticleStamp of approval
Chang Tiejun, body area manager at Changan Mazda's Nanjing facility, discusses the challenges of keeping pace with demand, handling changing materials and vehicle architectures, and planning for the futureAMS: Do you have both blanking and stamping operations here at Nanjing?Chang Tiejun (CT): We only have stamping operations at this location; ...