Thailand To Produce Mazda CX-3 Very Soon

Mazda is expected to start production of its Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX rivalling CX-3 crossover very soon, probably as early as this year, reports Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review.

The CX-3 will be produced at Mazda’s co-owned with Ford, AutoAlliance (Thailand) plant in Rayong, which also produces the Mazda 2 sedan and hatchback, as well as BT-50 models.

The CX-3 is expected to hit Thai showrooms in early 2016 while exports to neighbouring countries (including Malaysia) are being considered.

It is unclear yet if Bermaz will be importing the CX-3 from either Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima or Rayong.

When the CX-3 was launched in Japan in February, President Masamichi Kogai said the company was not considering producing the model overseas. However, strong demand from Japan and other overseas markets have forced Mazda to reconsider its decision, and to transfer some of the production to Thailand.

Mazda’s factories in Japan are said to be operating at 95 percent capacity already and does not have much capacity left to fulfil demand from countries in the ASEAN region.

Sources from Bermaz have indicated that the CX-3 will be launched in Malaysia by November, with an estimated price of RM120,000.

Related: Mazda CX-3 Estimated To Arrive In November 2015, Tentative RM120k Price