First 2023 Mazda CX-50 Makes History Rolling Off U.S. Assembly Line

Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Jeff Guyton drove the first 2023 Mazda CX-50 off the Discovery Line at Mazda’s new Huntsville, Alabama plant Wednesday. This all-new plant is a $2.3 billion joint venture partnership between Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation. The all-new CX-50 was specifically designed for the American market.

Related Story: Mazda’s New CX-50 SUV Moves the Brand Closer To Subaru

“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 Jeff 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.”

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, as the venture is termed, began operation in September 2021. The all-new plant will produce 300,000 crossover vehicles annually. The plan is for each brand to use half of the plant’s capacity. The plant will employ up to 4,000 workers, supported by thousands more local support employees at suppliers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is an all-new, rugged and capable crossover SUV that clearly pays homage to the Subaru Outback. Like all of Mazda’s crossover vehicles, the CX-50 aims to offer superior driving dynamics and a beautiful designThe CX-50’s unique mission is to enable drivers to venture further into the outdoors and over more rugged terrain.

The CX-50 will debut with i-Activ All-Wheel Drive technology and new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive. These new drive modes can be selected with the Mi-Drive switch. Mazda says that they will help the crossover SUV drive naturally in a wide variety of conditions.

Initially, the CX-50 will be available with Mazda’s current powertrains, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder with and without a turbo. Mazda is one of the last holdouts to use a geared transmission, something that drivers often prefer over buzzy, rubber-banding, belt-driven CVTs. Mazda says that customers should expect to see electrified powertrains soon, including a traditional hybrid model. Many speculate that Toyota’s technology, or perhaps entire powertrains may be the core of the green trims.

Watch for a CX-50 test report here at Torque News soon.

Image of CX-50 courtesy of Mazda

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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