Mazda CX7 to be made in China

FAW-Mazda, the partnership between China's First Automobile Works (FAW) and Japan's Mazda Automotive, today confirmed that the CX7 Crossover will be made in China later this year.

FAW-Mazda are eager to ramp up the partnership (which is technically not a joint venture) to take advantage of the strong market in China, the Mazda5 and Mazda8 MPV have already been set for production. By introducing the CX7 into China, FAW-Mazda will have a competent competitor to take on the Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, and Nissan Qashqai in a market where crossover SUVs are well received.

Due to the FAW-Mazda factory taking on the production of the last generation Mazda6, the current generation Mazda6 and also the Besturn B50 and B70 models, FAW-Mazda is planning to set up a second factory in the fourth quarter of 2010 that will be able to increase Mazda capacity and satisfy the demand for FAW's own Besturn models.