Anton Andres / Mazda | July 19, 2018 13:59
Production line for Mazda crossovers to reopen on July 23
The record rains in Japan last week saw production stoppages from Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Daihatsu. With the storm out of the country, Mazda has announced that they will resume operations next week, July 23, as cleanup and recovery efforts continue in Hiroshima.
Mazda says that there is now a degree of certainty regarding parts supply and employees’ commuting methods. With that, two-shift production will restart at Ujina Plant No.1 and Ujina Plant No.2 in Hiroshima with reduced production volumes from July 23 through August 10. The Ujina plants handle the assembly of the MX-5, CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9. Ujina is also responsible for building the Fiat 124 and its derivatives.
The automaker has yet to announce when production volumes will return to normal operations. At the same time, Mazda has not mentioned when the Yamaguchi plant will resume their functions. The Yamaguchi plant builds the sedans and wagons of the brand, namely the Mazda2, Mazda3, and Mazda6. Some CX-3s are also made in Yamaguchi. In a previous report, Steven Tan, president of Bermaz Philippines, official distributor for Mazda in the country, has said that the suspension of production will not affect the supply chain of Philippine-bound vehicles and parts.
In their statement, Mazda will be helping local authorities aid Hiroshima to a ‘swift recovery’. They will also be providing necessities and personnel support to affected areas.