Mazda has decided to increase production capacity of its new crossover, the Mazda CX-5, from 200,000 units to 240,000 units per year. Upgrades to the assembly line will enable an increase in SKYACTIV products. The move is made in response to strong demand for the CX-5 in countries all over the world.
On top of that, Mazda plans to double the annual production capacity of SKYACTIV Engines, meaning 800,000 of these efficient and powerful engines will be built per year.
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.”
SKYACTIV 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.