Automaker Mazda has entered talks with a local joint venture partner to end production at its plant in Russia.
This is because the impact of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine will be prolonged and there is no prospect of resuming operations, and the impact on the Japanese automobile industry is likely to spread further.
In 2012, Mazda established a joint venture plant in Vladivostok in the Far East with the Russian automaker "Solars", and assembled SUVs (multi-purpose sports vehicles) for the local market using parts exported from Japan.
Last year, we produced about 29,000 units, but due to the effects of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, we were unable to procure parts, and the factory stopped operating in April this year.
After that, the military invasion continued for a long time, and since there was no prospect of resuming operations, Mazda entered into discussions with Sollers and others to end production at this plant.
Mazda commented, "Currently, we believe that production is difficult, and we are currently discussing with Sollers and related parties to cancel production."
Among Japanese automakers that have operated in Russia, Toyota Motor Corporation has announced the closure of its plant in St. Petersburg, and the impact is likely to spread further.