Mazda reorganizes resources

TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp is reorganizing its Japanese and overseas production to maximize its use of resources.

Mazda will shift all manufacturing of its Proceed pickup trucks to Thailand, where the carmaker's joint venture with Ford Motor Co will manufacture the vehicles when it begins operation next May.

In tandem with the move, Mazda will shut down one line at its Hiroshima Prefecture plant. The line, which is currently assembling an average of 5,000 Proceeds per month, will cease operating by early 1999.

Mazda will also halt production of the Marvie, a sport-utility vehicle based on the Proceed and supplied on a consignment basis by Press Kogyo Co.

In Japan, Mazda will concentrate production at its Yamaguchi Prefecture plant, which has advanced manufacturing facilities. As a result of the reorganization, Mazda will have a total of seven assembly lines at its three Japanese plants.