HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation launched a training program for employees of Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (MMMdM) plant, on June 4, 2012. MMMdM is Mazda's manufacturing joint venture. The new plant is currently under construction in Mexico.

An opening ceremony for the training program was held at Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima on June 7. The first group of trainees, consisting of 12 employees who will be managers in production departments at the Mexican facility, participated in the ceremony. The course begins with a tour of the Mazda Museum and classes on health and safety. While in Japan the participants will study Mazda's manufacturing methods, quality control standards, and leadership skills through hands-on, practical training. On the weekends, trainees will participate in various events in order to get to know other Mazda employees and people from the local community.

Mazda will host approximately 180 employees from Mexico, divided into several groups, throughout the fiscal year ending (FYE) March 2014. The trainees will fulfill engineering, supervisory and managerial positions at MMMdM. Some will participate in six-week long Japanese language and culture programs organized by Japan's Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association prior to starting training at Mazda's headquarters.

At the opening ceremony, Mazda's Managing Executive Officer, Keishi Egawa, said, "The new plant is being constructed for the purpose of enhancing Mazda's business in Mexico and Central and South America and will be a key production facility for the company's future global business. I sincerely hope that each one of you, having undertaken extended training at Mazda's headquarters, will fulfill your leadership role in Mexico with pride and confidence."

Mazda started sales in Mexico in October 2005 and since then has achieved increasingly positive results. In the fiscal year ended March 2012, Mazda sold over 30,000 units, posting record-high sales volume and market share results.

Since the groundbreaking ceremony held in October 2011, construction of the new plant has gone into full swing. By the end of 2012, plant buildings, including roofs and exterior walls will be completed, and preparations for the start of operations in FYE March 2014 is progressing smoothly.