Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is an independent Japanese automaker that designs and manufactures its own vehicles. While Mazda is fully self-reliant in terms of engineering and design, it strategically partners with other companies for joint production and technology sharing. Its most significant current partnership is with Toyota, which holds a roughly 5% stake in Mazda.
A key part of this collaboration is the jointly operated Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama. This state-of-the-art facility is a cornerstone of Mazda's North American production, building models like the Mazda CX-50 crossover. Mazda also operates several plants in Japan, which produce core models for global markets, including the Mazda3, CX-5, and the MX-5 Miata.
Historically, Mazda had a long-term partnership with Ford, which once held a controlling stake. However, Mazda bought back its shares and has been fully independent since 2015. This independence allows Mazda to focus on its unique brand philosophy, such as the SKYACTIV technology suite for efficiency and performance and the KODO: Soul of Motion design language.
The following table outlines Mazda's primary manufacturing locations for its vehicles sold in the U.S. market:
| Manufacturing Location | City/Country | Examples of Models Produced |
|---|
| Hofu Plant | Yamaguchi, Japan | Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-9 |
| Ujina Plant | Hiroshima, Japan | CX-5, CX-60, MX-5 Miata |
| Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) | Huntsville, Alabama, USA | Mazda CX-50 |
| Changan Mazda (Joint Venture) | Nanjing, China | CX-50 (for Chinese market) |
| AutoAlliance Thailand | Rayong, Thailand | Mazda2, CX-3, BT-50 pickup |
