MAZDA TO CONSOLIDATE N.A. OPERATIONS
By Adnews Staff
Mazda Motor Corp. of Japan is preparing to consolidate its North American operations. Last week the automobile manufacturer said it will trim its North American businesses from five to two by the end of 1997. Mazda's current North American operations include: Mazda Motor of America, Inc. and Mazda Research and Development of North America, Inc., both of Irvine, Calif.; Mazda (North America) Inc. and Mazda Systems Services of North America, Inc., both of Flat Rock Mich.; and Mazda Canada Inc. of Scarborough, Ont. The two future units will be separate, but fully-integrated and will include a Canadian business and a U.S. business. Mazda anticipates the consolidation will result in the loss of approximately 25% of the company's North American jobs. Mazda Canada spokesperson Gregory Young said it was still too early in the restructuring process to tell what effect the consolidation would have on Mazda's North American marketing.