First Mazda CX-50 Rolls Off the Line
The first 2023 Mazda CX-50 SUV rolled off the automaker’s Discovery Line at their plant in Huntsville, Alabama. The vehicle wasn’t just rolled, but driven off the line by Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Jeff Guyton. Location for the vehicle’s assembly is evidence of Mazda’s growing commitment to the NA market. In fact, the CX-50 was made specifically for the North American Market. “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 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 Huntsville plant is a joint venture between Mazda and Toyota; a $2.3 billion investment between the two companies. Beginning operations in 2021, the plant is expected to employ 4,000 workers directly and several thousand workers indirectly via suppliers. Up to 150,000 units are expected to be assembled each year for Mazda and Toyota. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a crossover design built with a degree of off-road capability. It will come standard with the latest i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system, as well as Mi-Drive-- Mazda’s Intelligent Drive Select feature. The CX-50 can be equipped with either the standard Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter 4 cylinder or a turbocharged variant. In later years, electrified powertrains are expected to debut, including a traditional hybrid model. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available on the CX-50.
