Mazda has announced the temporary suspension of domestic production of vehicles destined for the Middle East for the months of April and May, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Company sources, reported by Japanese media and cited by Ansa, specify that the measure affects approximately 30.000 units per year destined for markets such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. The decision reflects the direct impact of disruptions in maritime traffic on export operations, particularly when alternative routes are less feasible or economically unfavorable.
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Mazda stops domestic production
Despite the disruption of shipments through the Strait, from which approximately 11% of global maritime trade passes, Mazda had so far tried to keep unchanged production levels by exploring alternative shipping routes. However, the accumulation of stock in warehouses has made the suspension of specific output for the Middle East necessary. The Japanese automaker emphasizes that total production in Japan will not undergo reductions: the volumes originally destined for the region will be reallocated to Europe and other growing markets, allowing the Hiroshima-based company to balance demand and production capacity without an overall decline in industrial activity.
Consequence of the conflict in the Middle East
Mazda’s move is part of a broader rethinking of the supply chains of the Japanese automotive industry, determined by growing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and the increase in insurance and logistics costs. Also other major Japanese manufacturers have adopted similar measures: Toyota reduced production for the Middle East by approximately 20.000 units in March and a further 24.000 in April, while Nissan cut output by approximately 1.200 vehicles for March and April.
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