News Releases

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN–Mazda Motor Corporation today started production of the new Mazda CX-5 crossover at its Hofu Plant No. 2 in Yamaguchi Prefecture to enable the company to meet the growing global demand for crossovers flexibly and rapidly. Until now the CX-5 has been produced at the company’s Hiroshima Plant and at plants in China and Malaysia.

In his remarks upon the start of CX-5 production at the Hofu Plant, Hidenori Kawakami, Executive Officer assisting the officer in charge of global production and plant General Manager, said, “I’m pleased that production of the CX-5 has begun at Hofu Plant. We are keenly aware of our position as one of the parent factories in Mazda’s global manufacturing network and working to raise Mazda’s brand value, we carefully craft each car with attention to detail, pride and commitment in an effort to please our customers. I hope that all of the Mazda vehicles, including the CX-5, that are made with care here at the Hofu Plant, will further enrich the lives of customers around the world. Through the manufacture of automobiles, we will continue to contribute to Japan’s monotsukuri and to regional development.

Mazda is working to meet a global sales volume target of 1.65 million units by the end of its three-year business plan, Structural Reform Stage 2, which was launched last fiscal year. In recent years global demand for crossovers has surged. In order to meet this demand expeditiously, the company has made its production system more flexible. In December 2016 the Hofu Plant joined the Hiroshima plant in producing the CX-3, a compact crossover SUV. And in August of this year, the system for production of crossovers at the Hiroshima Plant’s body factory was enhanced.

Moving forward Mazda hopes to help create a future in which people, the earth and society can coexist with cars, to enrich people’s lives through a car ownership experience that celebrates driving, and to become a brand with which customers feel a strong emotional connection.

Vehicles and transmissions produced at Hofu Plant

History of Hofu Plant

1981: Transmission production facility opens in Nakanoseki, Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture

1982: A vehicle production facility (now Hofu Plant No. 1) opens in Nishinoura, Hofu

1992: A second vehicle production facility (now Hofu Plant No. 2) opens in Nishinoura

2002: Production of Mazda6 (Atenza) begins at H2

2003: Production of Mazda3 (Axela) begins at H1

2006: Total production volume of transmissions in Nakanoseki reaches 25 million units

2013: Production capacity for SKYACTIV-Drive and SKYACTIV-MT is enhanced
Total production volume of vehicles at Hofu Plant reaches 10 million units

2014: Production of Mazda2 begins at H1

2016: Production of Mazda CX-3 begins at H1

2017: Production of all-new Mazda CX-5 begins at H2