Mazda partially resumes operations at fire-hit Ujina No. 1 plant

HIROSHIMA January 6, 2005; Japan Today reported that Mazda Motor Corp partially resumed manufacturing operations Thursday at the Ujina No. 1 plant in Hiroshima for the first time since a fire at the plant on Dec 15 crippled its paint-coating facility.

The automaker restarted production of Demio subcompact cars with an assembly line that survived the fire and a paint-coating facility at the adjacent Ujina No. 2 factory. Mazda said it aims to manufacture 4,000 Demio cars in January. (Kyodo News)