China will be getting a locally-assembled version of the new Mazda 2 that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month. During the run-up to the Shanghai Motor Show, which started today, Mazda announced that its joint-venture plant in Nanjing, China will build a version of the Mazda 2 that is optimized for the local market. The plant has already been equipped with all the necessary production machinery and pilot builds are underway. Full production of up to 160,000 units annually is due to start towards the end of the year. An engine plant is also under construction next door to the assembly plant. Now that China is getting the new 2, when do we get ours?

[Source: Mazda]

HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor (China) Co. Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation's management affiliate for the Chinese market, has announced that Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA) will produce the all-new Mazda2 at its plant in Nanjing, China. The announcement was made at a pre-show media event Mazda held on April 19, 2007, in advance of the Shanghai International Motor Show. The Nanjing plant is a joint venture with Mazda's partners in China, the Ford Motor Company and the Changan Automobile Group.

The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda's new generation of products to evolve to the next stage. Its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show at the beginning of March 2007 met with great acclaim. Mazda has specifically developed the Mazda2 model that will be produced at the Nanjing plant to suit the tastes of the Chinese market.

The Nanjing vehicle manufacturing plant will have an annual capacity of 160,000 units and will be based on Mazda's production system. The plant will feature cutting-edge eco-friendliness, efficiency, and an employee-friendly working environment. Manufacturing equipment for stamping, body assembly, painting and final assembly lines has already been installed, and verification trials have begun in line with plans to commence production at the plant by the end of 2007. Adjacent to the vehicle plant, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., is under the final phase of construction and will commence production soon.

Mazda's director and senior managing executive officer in charge of China Business, Kiyoshi Ozaki, commented at the media event held April 19: "Through the construction of the Nanjing manufacturing and engine plants, Mazda and our partners will not only be able to achieve business growth, but we also expect the plants will contribute to the development of the local community and the Chinese economy."

Mazda will maintain its pursuit of harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety performance, and always strive to be a brand that provides an exhilarating driving experience. In order to achieve our mid-term target of production and sales of 300,000 units in China in 2010, we will continue to offer Zoom-Zoom products to our customers in China