2 millionth vehicle rolls off the line at AAI Plant in Flat Rock
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Photo: Sam Varnhagen/Ford Motor Company
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The car, a Mazda 626, was driven off the line by James Kaminski, production team member, and Cheryl Ross, administrative assistant, as part of a ceremony commemorating the milestone. Gordon Dickie, vice president, Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply, Mazda North American Operations, presented the keys to the owner – Erika Tomlinson of Detroit, who bought the vehicle at Bill Cook Mazda of Farmington Hills.

Bruce Bowman, president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of AutoAlliance International Inc., said the 2 millionth car marked a significant milestone in one of the auto industry's real success stories.   "We've been able to use the best ideas and practices from both Ford and Mazda," Bowman said. "This facility really is a model for the future – for new and better ways of manufacturing vehicles globally."

Originally a Mazda-owned facility called Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Corp., the Flat Rock plant produced its first vehicle, a Mazda MX-6, in September 1987. In June, 1992, the plant became AutoAlliance International, a 50-50 joint venture between Ford and Mazda. Today, the plant produces the Mazda 626 and Mercury Cougars. It is unusually self contained, with stamping, plastics production, emissions testing, supplier quality and purchasing all handled in on-site facilities. There is even a test track on the property. The plant employs approximately 3,100 people. Its total annual capacity is 300,000 units.

WARREN, Mich., June 3, 1999 - A new, 1 million-sq. ft., nine-story tower will rise dramatically from an artificial lake on the east side of the General Motors Technical Center campus according to plans revealed today by officials of the corporation. The new structure will be a highly visible feature of the 2.4 million-sq. ft. Vehicle Engineering Center (VEC) complex proposed for the Warren campus. 

New GM Vehicle Engineering Center

Photo: GM

"The tower's distinctive form over the water will express a forward-looking image reflecting the spirit of innovation that has been at the heart of GM's history and tradition," said Gerald Elson, GM vice president and general manager, mid-size and luxury cars, North America Car Group. The creation of a new, world-class VEC at the Warren Technology Center will bring 8,000 engineers and technicians of GM's North America Car Engineering together in one flexible, worker-friendly, high-tech environment, he said.                                ... see full article

Camry, America's hottest-selling car

Photo: Toyota

Camry, America's hottest-selling car, led the charge with best-ever May sales of 46,063, an increase of 3.8 percent over the same period last year. Year-to-date Camry sales are 24.8 percent ahead of last year's record sales pace.

Toyota light trucks also recorded a best-ever May sales month. The legendary Land Cruiser sold 1,787 units, an increase of 4.1 percent and the best-ever sales month since it went on sale in 1958. The Sienna minivan recorded the best-ever sales month in its history with 9,768 units sold, an increase of 27.3 percent. Strong sales also were posted by 4Runner with 12,323, an increase of 16.5 percent over last May, and RAV4 with 6,144 units sold, an increase of 3.8 percent. Rounding out the Toyota Division's record-shattering month was the Tacoma compact pickup with sales of 15,688, up 7.1 percent.

The Lexus Division's record sales month was fueled by the RX 300 sport utility vehicle which recorded its best-ever sales month with 6,694 units sold, an increase of 55.1 percent over the same period last year. The LX 470 also recorded its best-ever sales month with 1,512 units, an increase of 59.3 percent over last May. The ES 300 led Lexus passenger car sales with 4,737 units, an increase of 17.7 percent, while the GS 300 sport sedan recorded 2,431 sales, an increase of 17.6 percent.

Sales of North American-built vehicles made up 64.0 percent of total May sales, up from 62.8 percent the previous year.