Mazda to increase Mazda3 output by more than 50 percent

[MSP4EVER]

Mazda Motor Corp. will increase production of its hot-selling Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback by more than 50 percent.

"Globally, we are short of Mazda3 supply," said Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda Motor president. "It is selling very well, with very little incentives."

Mazda has capacity for 250,000 Mazda3 units, working two shifts on one line at its Hofu, Japan, plant. But it could build as many as 380,000 units by working Saturdays, using spare capacity on a second line at Hofu and using a line at its Ujina 2 plant in Hiroshima, Japan.

Using the two Hofu lines and not Ujina 2 would give Mazda annual production of 320,000 units, Imaki said.

A decision on whether to use Ujina 2 will be made as soon as possible, he said.

In the United States, Mazda has sold 54,986 units of the Mazda3 from its January launch through August. On Sept. 1, Mazda North American Operations reported a 51-day supply of Mazda3s.

-Autoweek-

 

[MikeBlueP5]

wow they have sold 1145.5 cars per state if it were to be divided evenly. thats a good many. just from jan-august

 

[goldwing2000]

I wonder how many they've sold in Canada.

 

[wongpres]

I wonder how many they've sold in Canada.

A lot more (proportionately-wise). Unfortunately, I don't have the latest numbers at the moment, but it's around just under half of those sold in the US (and Canada is some 10 times smaller than the US population-wise). In other words, they are EVERYWHERE in the cities - they're just as common as seeing latest-gen Accords and the latest re-styled Civics now.

For the first part of calendar year 2004, the Mazda3 was the best-selling car in Canada. However, the combination of dealers holding very firm on price, along with Mazda Canada setting finance and lease rates VERY high for this car, have dropped the Mazda3 to third now (behind Civic and Corolla). But there's a strategy for this - by purposely elevating the rates for the Mazda3, and sweetening the rates for the Mazda6, they've shifted many Mazda3 buyers to the Mazda6. Even the dealers and Mazdda Canada will admit to this, because they can only get so many Mazda3's from the factory (hence this thread). Thus, I can lease a well loaded Mazda6 GT-I4 with Sport package for CHEAPER than a pretty loaded Mazda3 GT without GFX (basically, this is a pretty loaded Mazda6, even though the Sport package is completely different to the US one, versus a US-spec Mazda3s without Sport package).

 

[joepro]

A lot more (proportionately-wise). Unfortunately, I don't have the latest numbers at the moment, but it's around just under half of those sold in the US (and Canada is some 10 times smaller than the US population-wise). In other words, they are EVERYWHERE in the cities - they're just as common as seeing latest-gen Accords and the latest re-styled Civics now.

For the first part of calendar year 2004, the Mazda3 was the best-selling car in Canada. However, the combination of dealers holding very firm on price, along with Mazda Canada setting finance and lease rates VERY high for this car, have dropped the Mazda3 to third now (behind Civic and Corolla). But there's a strategy for this - by purposely elevating the rates for the Mazda3, and sweetening the rates for the Mazda6, they've shifted many Mazda3 buyers to the Mazda6. Even the dealers and Mazdda Canada will admit to this, because they can only get so many Mazda3's from the factory (hence this thread). Thus, I can lease a well loaded Mazda6 GT-I4 with Sport package for CHEAPER than a pretty loaded Mazda3 GT without GFX (basically, this is a pretty loaded Mazda6, even though the Sport package is completely different to the US one, versus a US-spec Mazda3s without Sport package).

Yup. Back in march when I went to buy my mazda 3, the sales rep told me it'd be much cheaper leasing a loaded mazda 6 instead. Of course, at the time, I was set on buying a mazda 3.

 

[goldwing2000]

Leasing... BAH! What a waste of money! All for the sake of appearing to live beyond your means.

As bad as renting an apartment!

(rant)

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

Leasing... BAH! What a waste of money! All for the sake of appearing to live beyond your means.

As bad as renting an apartment!

(rant)

is it so bad to try and get 6 months of living expenses saved and no credit card debt before I decide to take out an entire line of equity on a living space ?

I'm only 23... the maz3 is the big purchase for me now...

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

Yeah, the Mazda3 was sold out here...like, only two or three left on the lot, and it's the same at most dealers around here...if they have any at all left...which is why my mom is awaiter her 05 to arrive

 

[eting_pro5]

damn, i totally thought this thread was going to be about the 3s engine output.....it sure would be sweet to have a 240 HP 3.

 

[Mikey444]

I wonder how many they've sold in Canada.

LOT's, I see them everywhere, it's taking over the roads.

 

[ballboy]

To me, that translates into "if you want better build quality, buy your 3 now". I imagine the guy making the cars on Saturday will be pretty tuckered by that time, and you as the driver, might wind up paying for that poor, overworked assembly line guy in terms of more rattles, squeaks and leaks.

 

[Loose]

Computers never tire,

they will work around the clock if you tell them to.