Mazda Motor Corporation has signed an agreement with Iwakuni City and Yamaguchi Prefecture to establish a new facility for producing cylindrical lithium-ion battery packs, supplied by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. Construction of the Mazda Motor Corporation Iwakuni Plant is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with operations expected to start in fiscal year 2027.
The Iwakuni Plant will be Mazda’s first new domestic production facility since the Hofu No.2 Plant began operations in 1992. It is part of Mazda’s multi-solution electrification strategy, which aims to address diverse customer needs while meeting increasingly stringent global emissions standards.
The plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and will be located on a site covering approximately 190,000 square meters at 3915 Minamishirazaki, Tsuzu, Iwakuni City.
The facility is expected to provide employment opportunities and contribute to local economic development, while delivering high-quality battery technology for future electrified vehicles.
Mazda said the new plant will serve as a key component of its global electrification efforts, providing a foundation for the company’s future mobility solutions and supporting its transition to electric-powered vehicles.