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Increase in Mazda CX-5 Production – Annual Capacity of SKYACTIV Engines Doubled

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced it will increase production capacity of its new crossover SUV, Mazda CX-5, from 200,000 units to 240,000 units per year. This will be achieved by expanding production from Ujina Plant No.2 to also include Ujina Plant No.1. Upgrades to the assembly line are based on Mazda's manufacturing system innovation called Monotsukuri Innovation[1] and will enable production of new generation SKYACTIV products at Ujina Plant No.1 earlier than anticipated. The move is made in response to strong demand for the CX-5 in countries all over the world.

The CX-5 is the first model to fully incorporate SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. It has gained a reputation for offering both excellent fuel economy and an exhilarating driving experience. Since sales began in February, Mazda has received orders far surpassing initial estimations and upgraded its annual global sales target from 160,000 to 190,000 units for the fiscal year 2012.

Mazda's representative director and chairman of the board, president and CEO, Takashi Yamanouchi said, "I am grateful for the high praise the CX-5 has been receiving from customers all over the world. This production capacity increase for the CX-5 demonstrates that we are working hard to deliver the vehicle to waiting customers as early as we possibly can. It will also help establish a flexible production system that enables us to produce new-generation SKYACTIV products at Ujina Plant No. 1. I believe that it shows Mazda is making steady progress in optimizing its automobile manufacturing processes."

Mazda to Double Annual Production Capacity of  SKYACTIV Engines to 800,000 units

Production volume will be increased from 400,000 units to 800,000 units per year in October 2012. The plant produces SKYACTIV-D diesel engines and SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines. The capacity increase is made in response to increasing demand for cars incorporating the company's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. It is made possible by Mazda's continued pursuit of a highly efficient flexible production system using multipurpose equipment.

The SKYACTIV-G is a highly efficient, new-generation direct-injection gasoline engine. Mazda engineers overcame the problem of abnormal combustion, commonly known as "knocking", to achieve the world's highest compression ratio for a mass production gasoline engine for vehicles. It is presently available in the Mazda CX-5, currently being launched in markets around the world. It will also be available in the next generation Mazda6 to be released later this year.

The SKYACTIV-D is a new-generation clean diesel engine that complies with global exhaust gas regulations without the need for a costly nitrogen oxide (NOx) aftertreatment system. It achieves the world's lowest compression ratio for a mass production diesel engine for vehicles. The first model to be equipped with the SKYACTIV-D is the Mazda CX-5. It will also be available in the next generation Mazda6 to be released later this year.

Mazda intends to sell 1,700,000 units globally in the fiscal year ending March 2016. Models employing SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY are expected to account for 80 percent of total sales.

[1] Monotsukuri Innovation is Mazda's initiative aimed at achieving economies of scale and the flexibility to swiftly respond to changes in market trends. It involves various areas across the company, including development, manufacturing and purchasing. It is a structural reform project which fundamentally changed the way Mazda makes cars and enabled the development of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY.

Photo gallery: Mazda CX-5