Mazda has confirmed that it will end U.S. production of its Mazda6, the next-generation midsize sedan to be built at its main plant in Japan.
But the maker says it is still studying “future opportunities” for the suburban Detroit factory it currently operates as part of a decades-old joint venture with Ford Motor Co. Industry insiders nonetheless Mazda will eventually pull out of the partnership, which could lead to the closure of the factory, which currently produces both the Mazda6 and the Ford Mustang.
Currently, Mazda produces the slow-selling Mazda6 at three factories, the AutoAlliance International facility in Flat Rock, Michigan, the FAW plant in Changchun, China, and the maker’s main assembly line, in Hofu, Japan.
With demand down it makes little sense to keep production spread out, acknowledged Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi, confirming recent media reports, including an extensive analysis on TheDetroitBureau.com last week.