Bangkok Post reported that the Thai built Mazda3 compact car will debut in the local market on March 17th 2011 as the first unit assembled at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong has rolled off the line.

The Mazda3, formerly built at the Ford plant in the Philippines, was first imported and launched in Thailand in late 2004. Ford and Mazda are partners in AAT.

Mazda moved the production of the Mazda3 to Thailand after Ford announced plans last year for its own USD 450 million assembly plant in Rayong to make the Focus compact starting in 2012 for sale across Asia Pacific. The current Focus model is assembled at the Ford plant in the Philippines. The Mazda3, called the Axela in Japan, is the second generation of the popular compact.

Mr Choichi Yuki MD of Mazda Sales Thailand said that "Lots of customers are waiting for this model. It is going to be another Mazda flagship model to help make the Mazda brand even stronger in passenger car segment."

The AAT plant also makes the brisk-selling Mazda2 subcompact and the Mazda BT 50 one ton pickup.

Mr Yuki said that the first generation of the Mazda3 had been very successful in all markets around the world since its debut in 2002. The Mazda3 was introduced in Thailand in late 2004 and 28,000 units have been sold to date.

(Sourced from www.bangkokpost.com)