Mazda CX-30 compact model,
will reportedly be made at the Salamanca plant in the state of Guanajuato,
Mexico. The decision is not that surprising given that the same factory
builds the latest-generation Mazda3 sedan, which shares a platform with the
CX-30. While the Japanese automaker has not made an official announcement yet,
Autonews Mexico reports that an announcement of production startup could occur
in September.
Salamanca is Mazda’s first production facility
outside Japan and was chosen because Mexico has commercial agreements with 45
countries, plus and a suitable location from which to send vehicles to Central
and South America, Europe, the United States and Canada.
Back in March when the all-new CX-30 debuted at the
Geneva Motor Show, Mazda president and CEO Akira Marumoto said the vehicle
would be produced at the plants that the company considers key to the
operation, with Mexico being one of them. The Salamanca plant has the
capacity to build 140,000 vehicles a year. Since its opening in 2014, the
facility has been manufacturing Mazda2 hatchbacks, Mazda3 sedans and
hatchbacks, and Mazda2-based Toyota Yaris sedans. Last year, the factory also
started the production of the Mazda2 sedan.
According to Mazda Mexico director Miguel Barbeyto,
CX-30 models made in Salamanca will be sold in all world markets, including
Mexico. The compact crossover will be positioned between the CX-3 and the
CX-5 and will offer the latest generation of Skyactiv gasoline and diesel
engines, as well as a hybrid option. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic
transmissions will both be available, as well as AWD versions.
