Mazda Says Fire-Ravaged Plant Back in Full Operation by April

TOKYO January 27, 2005; The AP reported that Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corp. said Thursday a plant damaged by a fire in December has been mostly repaired and will be back in full production by April.

Mazda, which is 33.4 percent owned by Ford Motor Co. of the United States, also said the production loss from the fire at the Ujina No. 1 plant in western Japan is expected to total 30,000 vehicles, an improvement over the initial estimate for a 70,000 vehicle loss.

Rebuilding efforts have gone more quickly than expected because of construction using prefabricated steel frame units, the Hiroshima-based automaker said in a statement.

Production of several models, including the RX-8 sportscar and Demio compact, will resume by the middle of next month, according to Mazda.

The Dec. 15 fire broke out in the paint shop of Ujina No. 1. The plant's operations were partially resumed last month.

Mazda has boosted production at two other plants to maintain overall vehicle production in Japan.

Mazda has achieved a turnaround under its alliance with Ford and has produced successful models in recent years.