Next Mazda3 - built in Mexico?

[surfstar]

From the link in the Mazda6 thread:

"Did we mention that Mazda’s future profitability in the U.S. also depends on the success of the next 3? The entire Mazda lineup is now imported from Japan, a country with a currency strong enough to kill profit margins on many U.S. sales. The next 3 will be built at a new factory in Mexico, allowing Mazda to turn a bigger profit on each sale and, if necessary, subsidize its other, Japan-sourced models."

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-mazda-3-rendering-and-information-news

I think I still prefer the 07-09 hatchback styling the most. If only they offered the higher mpg 2.0L in those years (in the US).

 

[Quattro Pete]

Let's hope the Mexican Mazda is better than Mexican VW.

 

[97tbird]

^ +1

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Let's hope the Mexican Mazda is better than Mexican VW.



Or mexican built Ford

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: bourne
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Let's hope the Mexican Mazda is better than Mexican VW.



Or mexican built Ford

Or Mexican built Chrysler (Uncle's PT Cruiser has major issues) or GM (HHR anyone?)

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Let's hope the Mexican Mazda is better than Mexican VW.


How can't it be?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Let's hope the Mexican Mazda is better than Mexican VW.


How can't it be?

Excellent response!

 

[97tbird]

LOL

 

[Spazdog]

It's a joint venture with Sumitomo.

The factory is being built in Guanajuato which ironically, is abbreviated GTO.

 

[Eddie]

This does cause for concern but, so much depends on the parent company. Lets hope Mazda rides shotgun all the way. Ed

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
The next 3 will be built at a new factory in Mexico, allowing Mazda to turn a bigger profit on each sale and, if necessary, subsidize its other, Japan-sourced models.


Yeah I don't think they're that pragmatic. Maybe "pave the way for more expensive Mazdas to also move offshore if 3s keep selling like before."

 

[artificialist]

This makes me think of the Nissan Sentra.

The ones from the 80s up until 1994 were excellent. They were either made in the USA or in Japan.

1995-2004 Sentras were not nearly as good. They were made in Mexico.

 

[bustednutz]

Knowing That my 07 Mazda 3 was built in Japan was huge factor in making my decision to buy one. And thru 7 years of ownership not once did I ever have a single problem. It never saw the dealer again till trade in time.

 

[rshaw125]

Made in Mexico. No thanks.

 

[simple_gifts]

A poorly made VW from Mexico is ultimately a German problem, not a Mexican one.

Sending your mfg overseas and then blaming poor quality on the host country workers is a great way to acknowledge what a poor decision one has made and that you have no control over your own processes.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Quote:
A poorly made VW from Mexico is ultimately a German problem, not a Mexican one.

Yup. That's why I hope Mazda does it better.

 

[Joe1]

When my brother purchased his Protege in 2003, his preference was for a Mazda 6 as he wanted a larger vehicle. In the end, he opted for the Protege because it was "Made in Japan".

Now that the Protege is 10 years old with over 200k miles on it, he is inclined to replace it soon. The 2014 Mazda 6 went to the top of the list as a potential replacement once he got word that it is now being made in Japan.

For Mazda's sake, I hope they can maintain the quality and reliability of their product in the new assembly location.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: bustednutz
Knowing That my 07 Mazda 3 was built in Japan was huge factor in making my decision to buy one. And thru 7 years of ownership not once did I ever have a single problem. It never saw the dealer again till trade in time.


Same with our 2012 Mazda 3. Made in Japan. Im expecting good things out of it.

 

[DBMaster]

^I tend to have this same bias but I am not sure why. My Accord was built in Ohio and it was just as good as the ones built in Japan. I do not have any experience with cars built in Mexico. When I was married we had a 93 Escort wagon for nine years. Though, Ford had built some in Mexico, mine was built in Wayne, Michigan. I have no idea if the Mexican built cars were better or worse.

Sad to say, but I would not want to buy the first model year of Mazda 3 built in Mexico.

 

[Hokiefyd]

People on Corolla/Camry forums, and to an extent on some CR-V forums as well, swear the Japanese-built ones are better than the NA-built ones. I don't believe that's the case; each of my Corolla/Camry/CR-V vehicles was built in the United States and each one was very well put-together with good build quality and few-to-no squeaks/rattles.

There are differences, however, in the parts used. This is the case on both my former Camry and current CR-V, and may have been the case with the Corolla, too. Japanese-built models had different part numbers for the same parts than did the NA-built models. I don't know if this represents a simple change in supplier, or a true difference in design. It would appear that it'd be a difference in design, because service manuals instruct you to use the correct part depending on the country of vehicle origin.