Mazda will stop building the Mazda6 in Michigan

Production of the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International plant (a joint venture plant of Mazda Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co.) will end after the present life cycle of the sedan. Mazda confirmed reports from various Japanese media that production of the next Mazda6 will be consolidated into a plant in Hofu, Japan. There are currently three sites that produce the Mazda6. There’s the plant in Flat Rock, Mich. operated by AutoAlliance International, Mazda's 50-50 joint venture with Ford.

There’s also a plant in Hofu, Japan, and another one in China. Mazda reiterated that it is considering plans for what’s in store for AutoAlliance in the future. Ford spokesmen have not yet given their comments on what Mazda plans for Flat Rock. Ending production at AutoAlliance would mean that the plant won’t have even a single Mazda product. The Mustang is produced in Flat Rock. This plan is slated to take place in the middle of 2012. This is also about the time that the replacement of the current Mazda6 will arrive.

This updated version features Mazda's new SkyActiv powertrain technologies as well as design cues from Mazda's Shinari concept sedan that made its debut at the Los Angeles auto show last November. In May 2011, sales of Mazda6 dropped by 53% to 1,639 units compared to the same month the previous year. Meanwhile, sales through May totaled 13,604 units, a 9% drop from the same period in 2010. In Mazda’s fiscal year that ended March 31, Mazda posted a $102.6 million loss for AutoAlliance. This pulled down the North American operations further. It was the sole region to post an operating loss in 2010. [via - 4wheelsnews]