Mazda to End Assembly of Sedans in Michigan Venture Plant Owned With Ford

By Alan Ohnsman and Craig Trudell - Jun 6, 2011 1:44 PM PT .

Mazda Motor Corp. (7261) plans to stop making sedans at a Michigan plant shared with Ford Motor Co. (F) since 1992 as part of efforts to improve efficiency.

Production of the next-generation Mazda6 sedan will be moved to Hofu, Japan, from the AutoAlliance International factory, or AAI, in Flat Rock, Michigan, Mazda said today in a statement. The company didn’t say when the change takes effect.

“The decision was made after carefully assessing all risks and opportunities, including global needs, changing demand in North America and exchange-rate exposure,” Chief Executive Officer Takashi Yamanouchi said in the statement. “We are committed to working with Ford, our joint venture partner in AAI, to identify potential future opportunities for the plant.”

Full story:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-06/mazda-to-end-assembly-of-sedans-in-michigan-venture-plant-owned-with-ford.html