The Auto Channel: North America | Europe

Mazda to Introduce New Car for 1997

12/23/96

Kyodo reports that Mazda Motor Corporation announced that it would initiate the production of a new type of car next spring at its Hofu factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Henry Wallace, president of Mazda and vice president of Ford Motor Co., told reporters that the car is meant partially to alleviate an excess of production capacity at the Hofu plant. Wallace, who became Mazda's president after Ford bought a controlling 33.4% equity stake of the Japanese carmaker, did not elaborate on the planned vehicle. A company spokesman later said the car would be a redesigned version of the Capella.

Wallace said that Mazda plans to sell 365,000 autos in Japan during 1997, up 7.8% from this year. The company also plans to export an additional 460,000 automobiles. Wallace said that Mazda and Ford will work out the details of a plan to use shared chassis for their motor vehicle production, a step that is expected to boost the companies' mutual production efficiency.

Wallace also dismissed speculation that Ford wants to expand its equity stake in Mazda.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel

Copyright © 1996-2008 The Auto Channel. Contact Information, Credits, and Terms of Use. These following titles and media identification are Trademarks owned by Gordon Communictions and have been in continuous use since 1987 : The Auto Channel, Auto Channel and TACH all have been in continuous use world wide since 1987, in Print, TV, Radio, Home Video, Newsletters, On-line, and other interactive media; all rights are reserved and infringement will be acted upon with force.

Privacy Statement | Size Does Matter | Media Kit | RSS feeds | Affiliates

Send your questions, comments, and suggestions to Editor-in-Chief@theautochannel.com.

Submit press releases or news stories to submit@theautochannel.com.
Place copy in body of email, NO attachments please.

To report errors and other problems with this page, please use this form.

Link to this page: http://www.theautochannel.com/

TheAutoChannel is represented by Gorilla Nation. Please contact Gorilla Nation for ad rates, packages and general advertising information.