Mazda Motors Of America

Toru Ogawa has been named chairman of Mazda Motors of America (Central) Inc., Rancho Dominguez. Named to succeed Ogawa as president of Mazda Central was Yoshinori Taura, formerly general manager of the Europe division-overseas operations, for Mazda Motor Corp. Mazda Motors of America (Central) serves as the importer of Mazda cars and trucks in 31 Western and Midwestern states.

Yoji Toyama has been appointed president of Mazda Motor of America Inc. in Irvine. He succeeds Kazuo Sonoguchi, who returns to the parent company, Mazda Motor Corp. in Hiroshima, Japan. Toyama, a 30-year Mazda veteran, was previously president of Mazda North America Inc. in Flat Rock, Mich., as well as Mazda Systems Services of North America Inc. Yutaka Hirose, president of Mazda Research & Development of North America Inc.

Mazda Motors of America, stung by slowed sales in the United States and by its Japanese parent's decision to cancel the Amati luxury-car line planned for the North American market, has begun a payroll-slashing program that sources say could ultimately affect 200 of its 1,250 employees. The first round of layoff notices--reportedly 21 in the Amati division and 52 at Mazda Motors of America--were handed out Tuesday.

Mazda Motors of America, stung by slowed sales in the United States and by its Japanese parent's decision to cancel the Amati luxury-car line planned for the North American market, has begun a payroll-slashing program that sources say could ultimately affect 200 of its 1,250 employees. The first round of layoff notices--reportedly 21 in the Amati division and 52 at Mazda Motors of America--were handed out Tuesday.

Mazda Motors of America has begun shopping for an advertising agency to handle marketing chores for a new upscale car line to go up against Toyota's Lexus and Nissan's Infiniti, industry sources said Tuesday. Officially, the new car line--being planned at Mazda's Irvine headquarters under the code name of the Pegasus Group--is only a feasibility study. But one source said Mazda is expected to announce a final decision on the U.S.

The Port of Hueneme, the only deep-water port between San Pedro and San Francisco, was honored Saturday as a contributor of $200 million annually to Ventura County's economy. The 40-year-old Port Hueneme facility received the fourth annual Hall of Fame award from the Ventura County Economic Development Assn. Along with the port, the association honored four companies doing business at the harbor. They are two importers, Del Monte Tropical Fruit Co.

Mazda Motors of America has begun shopping for an advertising agency to handle marketing chores for a new upscale car line to go up against Toyota's Nexus and Nissan's Infiniti, industry sources said Tuesday. Officially, the new line--being planned at Mazda's Irvine headquarters complex by a development team code-named Pegasus Group--is merely a feasibility study. But one source said Mazda is expected to announce a final decision on the U.S.

Yoji Toyama has been appointed president of Mazda Motor of America Inc. in Irvine. He succeeds Kazuo Sonoguchi, who returns to the parent company, Mazda Motor Corp. in Hiroshima, Japan. Toyama, a 30-year Mazda veteran, was previously president of Mazda North America Inc. in Flat Rock, Mich., as well as Mazda Systems Services of North America Inc. Yutaka Hirose, president of Mazda Research & Development of North America Inc.

The Port of Hueneme, the only deep-water port between San Pedro and San Francisco, was honored Saturday as a contributor of $200 million annually to Ventura County's economy. The 40-year-old Port Hueneme facility received the fourth annual Hall of Fame award from the Ventura County Economic Development Assn. Along with the port, the association honored four companies doing business at the harbor. They are two importers, Del Monte Tropical Fruit Co.

Mazda Motors of America has begun shopping for an advertising agency to handle marketing chores for a new upscale car line to go up against Toyota's Nexus and Nissan's Infiniti, industry sources said Tuesday. Officially, the new line--being planned at Mazda's Irvine headquarters complex by a development team code-named Pegasus Group--is merely a feasibility study. But one source said Mazda is expected to announce a final decision on the U.S.

Mazda Motors of America has begun shopping for an advertising agency to handle marketing chores for a new upscale car line to go up against Toyota's Lexus and Nissan's Infiniti, industry sources said Tuesday. Officially, the new car line--being planned at Mazda's Irvine headquarters under the code name of the Pegasus Group--is only a feasibility study. But one source said Mazda is expected to announce a final decision on the U.S.

Toru Ogawa has been named chairman of Mazda Motors of America (Central) Inc., Rancho Dominguez. Named to succeed Ogawa as president of Mazda Central was Yoshinori Taura, formerly general manager of the Europe division-overseas operations, for Mazda Motor Corp. Mazda Motors of America (Central) serves as the importer of Mazda cars and trucks in 31 Western and Midwestern states.

Mazda Cuts Jobs in Reorganization: Mazda Motors of America said it laid off 50 employees, including 35 at its Irvine headquarters, as part of a revamping aimed at cutting costs and making the company more competitive. Sales of the Japanese auto importer's cars and trucks--including several models produced in the United States--are off 19% for the year. Employees who were laid off were told that Friday was their last day, said Jay Amestoy, vice president of corporate relations.