Mazda begins CX-3 production in Thailand

Mazda has begun production of its all-new CX-3 compact crossover SUV at the Auto Alliance (Thailand) plant in Rayong, the first overseas facility to make the model following its global start of production last December from the company’s Hiroshima plant in Japan.

“AAT is an extremely important hub that consolidates our system for supplying the CX-3 promptly and consistently to the growing compact SUV market,” commented Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer Kiyotaka Shobuda.

The fifth addition to Mazda’s current range of vehicles with full SkyActiv technology, the CX-3 debuted in its Japan home market in February, with launches in North America, Europe, and Australia having followed since.

Concurrently, the company’s Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing (Thailand) engine and transmission plant in the Chonburi province also begins full-scale production of the 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine for use in the Mazda2. The MPMT plant was officiated in August and started off building the company’s in-house 6-speed SkyActiv automatic transmissions.

The MPMT plant was established in response to the second phase of the Thai government’s Eco-Car program, which applies preferential taxation to fuel efficient, low-emission vehicles. Globally, it is the fourth production base for SkyActiv engines, following the Hiroshima plant, Changan Ford Mazda Engine in China, and Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation in Mexico. Currently, the plant has an annual production capacity of 30,000 engines.

“Thailand is our most important production location outside Japan; our first overseas base capable of comprehensive vehicle manufacture, including engine and transmission production as well as vehicle assembly,” said Shobuda.

Picture: Official Mazda release.