Many of Mazda’s most popular models are involved in the U.S. order suspension - MX-5 Miata, Mazda 3, CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers.
Mazda Motor has temporary stopped orders for Japan-built vehicles from its dealers in the U.S. as a result on ongoing production interruption caused by the Japan earthquake on March 11.
Mazda temporarily resumed partial production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants on March 22, producing replacement parts and parts for overseas production and vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventories. Mazda indefinitely suspended the production of vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventory at its Hofu plant today.
Since only two Mazda vehicles are U.S. sourced in conjunction with Ford Motor – the Mazda 6 car and the Tribute SUV – if Mazda factory shutdowns continue beyond a few weeks, Mazda and its dealers will be severely hurt as vehicle supply will start to run out in late April or May.
It is the latest example of how the complicated auto manufacturing supply chain is vulnerable to natural disasters because it increasingly relies on single sourcing and sub-contracting of key components, as well as “just in time delivery of parts.”
Many of Mazda’s most popular models are involved in the suspension – MX-5 Miata sports car, Mazda 3, CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers. In February Mazda CX-9 posted its best sales ever of 2,876 vehicles, up 43% and CX-7 recorded its best February since 2008, with sales of 2,357 vehicles, up 31.2%.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
