The Metal ID Plate inside the Inner Wall of the Engine Bay shows
the Country of origin. Anyway, the SA Production Versions should be
for the Middle East and maybe the European Markets. Ours should
still be assembled in Japan, until Mazda decides to mass produce it
in the Philipines (There's a Ford Plant there producing the Ugly
Ford Laser currently) or even Thailand.
But I don't think so, at least not so soon. Mazda is still a
smallish Automobile Company in Japan, and they are now recuperating
their losses from their dark ages in the late 90s...
(Cars like the previous 323 before the MZ3 is produced during that
time, and not much financial support for their R&D Department.
It's only when Ford sees the potential in them, and buy over 33% of
the shares, and starts injecting funds, thats why they are now
making a comeback, aka "back with a vengence", and they are giving
us their best efforts yet, the MZ3, MZ6, MX-5, and of course the
lengendary RX-8! To think, it's only a 1.3 liter rotary engine and
sips petrol lesser than a typical 1.6, but still offers great
performances! The RX-7 Turbo is being resurrected now, under full
development, and will be available next year!)...
Moreover the MZ3 is their pride and joy, and strong selling point
of still being produced in Japan itself.
