Mazda mulls East European plant

Japanese carmaker Mazda is considering building a plant in eastern Europe, after raising capacity in its factories in Japan and China. 
    
“We are considering production in eastern Europe but it is a very sensitive subject,” said Mazda Director Daniel Morris in an interview with Automotive News Europe’s sister publication Automobilwoche. 
    
Strong demand from Russia and in particular eastern Europe means that capacity would soon reach its limits again. Since the end of 2006, Mazda has been posting double-digit growth in Russia. 
    
However, the company is focusing on freshening up its model range over investing in new plants. The new Mazda2 and new Mazda6 were unveiled this year while the Mazda3 is replaced next year. 
    
Morris ruled out the prospect of a Mazda6 hybrid in the near future and said the company was instead concentrating on improving gasoline and diesel technologies.