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Mazda has confirmed that by mid-2010 Australia-bound Mazda2’s will be produced at its new state-of-the-art production plant in Thailand, bringing with it an all-new sedan version of the popular light car to join it’s hatchback sibling.
The recently opened multi-million dollar Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) passenger car plant will produce around 50,000 Mazda2’s each year for ASEAN and export markets. AAT already exports Mazda BT-50 light commercials to close to 100 markets around the world, including Australia.
The new, highly flexible plant utilises the latest automotive manufacturing technologies and systems, including a new stamping line and body shop, trim and final process areas.
AAT uses the Mazda-developed Three Layer Wet Paint system, an environmentally-friendly system which dramatically reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) and CO2 emissions, and improves vehicle painting quality.
Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer Australians the all-new Mazda2 sedan and moving to Thailand production enables us to do this.”
Mazda2 sedan sits on the same 2,490mm wheelbase as its hatchback sibling and will be powered by Mazda2’s spirited 1.5 litre 76kw petrol engine. The sedan variant blends the same sporty and dynamic design for which Mazda2 is known with an impressive 450 litres of storage space.
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