Milestones – Mazda Hofu Plant Builds Ten Millionth Car

Posted on 5 September 2013 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

Currently, Hofu No. 1 produces the all-new Mazda3 that goes on sale this fall.

Mazda Motor Corporation says that cumulative vehicle production at the Hofu Plant in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture has reached ten million units. The milestone is achieved 30 years and eleven months after vehicle production commenced at Hofu Plant No. 1.

Full-scale production at Hofu plant started at what is today known as Hofu Plant No. 1 in September 1982. Hofu Plant No. 2 began operating in February 1992 with a volume and model mix flexible production line for vehicle bodies and modular assembly systems in the mixed-model assembly line.

The two plants combined currently have an annual production capacity of 482,100 units. Currently, Hofu No. 1 produces the all-new Mazda3 (Axela in Japan) which will be launched globally starting from North America this autumn. Hofu No. 2 makes the Mazda6, which is enjoying strong sales around the globe.

History of Hofu Plant

  • Dec      1981:  Operations begin at Nakanoseki district transmission plant.
  • Sep      1982:  Full-scale vehicle production begins at Hofu Plant No. 1 (Nishinoura district).
  • Apr      1986:  Vehicle production at Hofu Plant (Nishinoura) reaches one million units.
  • Feb      1992:  Vehicle production begins at Hofu Plant No. 2 (Nishinoura).
  • Jan       2002:  Vehicle production at Hofu Plant (Nishinoura district) reaches five million units.
  • Feb      2002:  Production of first generation Mazda6/Atenza begins.
  • Jun       2003:  Production of first generation Mazda3/Axela begins.
  • Aug     2007:  Production of second generation Mazda6/Atenza begins.
  • Nov     2008:  Production of second generation Mazda3/Axela begins.
  • Dec      2010:  Transmission production at Hofu Plant (Nakanoseki district) reaches 30 million units.
  • Aug     2012:  Production of third generation Mazda6/Atenza begins.
  • Jun       2013:  Production of third generation Mazda3/Axela begins.
  • Aug     2013:  Vehicle production at Hofu Plant (Nishinoura district) reaches 10 million units.

 

 

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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.
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