All-new Mazda3 rolls out from AutoAlliance Thailand plant
Mazda today began production of the all-new third-generation Mazda3 at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, ahead of the model’s Thai market launch scheduled for 18 March.
A ceremony held today at AAT to commemorate the start of production was attended by approximately 300 people, including AAT President Kenneth Minielly, the local sales company and other related parties. Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO, Masamichi Kogai, Managing Executive Officers Kiyotaka Shobuda and Takahisa Sori, and Executive Officer, Hiroshi Inoue also took part in the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kogai said, “AAT is one Mazda’s most important production facilities in terms of the future growth of our business. Thailand is the center of our business in the ASEAN region and the start of production of the SKYACTIV-equipped all-new Mazda3 indicates that our business has begun a new stage in this country.”
The AAT joint venture plant with Ford, which also produces the Mazda2 and BT-50, was also responsible for producing the previous-generation Mazda3 since January 2011, putting together 12,661 units as of January 2014. Besides AAT, Mazda also rolls out the 3 from its Hofu plant in Japan and MMVO plant in Mexico.
Malaysia is due to receive the new Mazda3 soon. Bermaz Motor had confirmed earlier that the new 3 will launch initially as a fully-imported model from Japan before rolling out CKD versions from the Inokom plant in Kulim. The CBU version, priced at an estimated RM139k, will be offered exclusively in sedan body style powered by the 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G engine; the CKD version will be augmented with additional variant options.
KON
