[Image Source: Mazda]

The latest in a series of four-door hatchbacks that was initially meant solely for the Japanese market is now ready for distribution worldwide, says Mazda Executive VP Robert Graziano. Five hundred and fifty Mazda Motor Corp. employees threw a grand fête yesterday outside their production Ujina plant near hiroshima to celebrate the first Mazda2 to roll of the assembly line.

Caught up in the carefully orchestrated excitement, Mr. Graziano gushed these not so spontaneous words:

"I wish to congratulate you all on your hard work, which has now successfully brought us to the start of full mass production.I am convinced that the all-new Mazda2 will capture the hearts of our customers and demonstrate to drivers the world over that, 'Mazda vehicles look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.'"

Global sales (outside North America) are set to start in Japan in June moving westward to Europe. The Chinese market will get their very own cut-price edition of the Mazda2 built by cheaper labor at the Changan Ford Mazda Nanjing plant deep in the heart of the PRC.

No word on whether Mazda2 will make it to these United States.

[Source: Mazda Motor Corporation]