Many are waiting for an upgrade to the Mazda CX-5, but this Mazda CX-50 may end up being a US-exclusive.
The recently announced Mazda CX-50 has been put into production at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama. This SUV is an all-new design, engineered to deliver superior driving dynamics and penned with beautiful, rugged looks that are a rung more rugged than your typical Mazda SUV.
“This is an exciting day for both MTM team members and MNAO employees to celebrate the first CX-50 to roll off the Discovery Line at MTM,” said Jeff Guyton. “The production of the CX-50 here signifies the importance of the North American market to Mazda and our commitment to investing in the U.S.”
The Mazda CX-50 was created especially for the North American market, and thus may not ever be sold in Malaysia. It features i-Activ All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology, the new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (a.k.a Mi-Drive). Power comes from either a Skyactiv-G 2.5 naturally-aspirated engine or a Skyactiv-G 2.5 turbocharged engine. Either powerplant is paired to the familiar 6-speed automatic transmission. Mazda says it will offer a hybrid powertrain in the coming years.
“The CX-50 is a model that serves as the driving force for Mazda’s business growth in North America,” said Takeshi Mukai, Senior Managing Executive Officer* at Mazda upon the start of production of CX-50. “We would like to see the plant taking root in the local community by offering employment opportunities and creating a supply chain in the region. And as a good U.S. corporate citizen, we are committed to nurture it into a production plant that shares a close connection with the local community.”
About the MTM
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing is a US$2.3 billion joint venture partnership between Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation. Operations began in September 2021 and it has a maximum capacity of 300,000 vehicles annually. The plant employed 4,000 workers directly, with many thousands more employed by connected suppliers. The Mazda CX-50 is the first vehicle from Mazda to be made at MTM.
