Mazdas Made in Mexico

In January, Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO) started production of the Mazda3; last week the new Mazda2—which is known as the Demio in Japan and which will be a 2016 model when launched in the U.S.—went into production in the plant in Salamanca.

In addition to which, the company started engine machining operations at MMVO.

Said MMVO president Keishi Egawa, “With the start of production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with SKYACTIV products of the same high quality level as those made in Japan.”

In addition to MMVO, Mazda produces the Mazda2 at its plant in Hofu, Japan, and at Auto Alliance (Thailand).

The Mazda2 is clearly more popular in other parts of the world than it is in the U.S.

The new version of the Demio was named the 2014-2015 Car of the Year Japan on October 13, for example.

The current-generation Mazda2 available in the U.S. has had sales of just 12,697 units through September. By way of comparison, Chevrolet moved 30,937 Sparks and Ford 52,403 Fiestas during the same period.

However, to be fair, it is worth noting that the 12,697 Mazda2s is a bigger accomplishment than the 10,339 Yaris models from Toyota.

Given how well the other SKYTACTIV Mazdas have been executed, presumably the 2016 Mazda2 will be a more capable contender.