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2 Millionth Vehicle Rolls Off the Line at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock

3 June 1999

2 Millionth Vehicle Rolls Off the Line at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock

    FLAT ROCK, Mich., June 2 -- Employees at AutoAlliance
International Inc., the joint manufacturing venture owned by Ford Motor
Company and Mazda Motor Corp., today produced the 2 millionth
vehicle built since the plant opened in 1987.
    The car, a Mazda 626, was driven off the line by James Kaminski,
production team member, and Cheryl Ross, administrative assistant, as part of
a ceremony commemorating the milestone.  Gordon Dickie, vice president,
Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply, Mazda North American Operations,
presented the keys to the owner - Erika Tomlinson of Detroit, who bought the
vehicle at Bill Cook Mazda of Farmington Hills.
    Bruce Bowman, president, chief executive officer and chief operating
officer of AutoAlliance International Inc., said the 2 millionth car marked a
significant milestone in one of the auto industry's real success stories.
    "We've been able to use the best ideas and practices from both Ford and
Mazda," Bowman said.  "This facility really is a model for the future -- for
new and better ways of manufacturing vehicles globally."
    Originally a Mazda-owned facility called Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA)
Corp., the Flat Rock plant produced its first vehicle, a Mazda MX-6, in
September 1987.  In June, 1992, the plant became AutoAlliance International, a
50-50 joint venture between Ford and Mazda.
    Today, the plant produces the Mazda 626 and Mercury Cougars.  It is
unusually self-contained, with stamping, plastics production, emissions
testing, supplier quality and purchasing all handled in on-site facilities.
There is even a test track on the property.  The plant employs approximately
3,100 people.  Its total annual capacity is 300,000 units.