Who makes the Mazda 2?
The Mazda 2 is built by Mazda Motor Corporation, the Japanese automaker behind the Demio lineage. The primary production site for the model is Mazda’s Hofu plant in Yamaguchi, Japan, with regional assembly used to supply specific markets as needed.
Known as the Demio in Japan, the Mazda2 has traveled the world since its 2003 introduction. Across generations, Mazda has shared development work on the underlying small-car platform with Ford in some markets, and the car has been produced at multiple plants worldwide to serve regional demand.
Where the Mazda2 is produced
The following accounts summarize the main production locations associated with the Mazda2 across its generations.
- Hofu Plant, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan — the primary production site for Mazda2 models.
- AutoAlliance Thailand (Rayong, Thailand) — regional assembly for Southeast Asia during certain generations, reflecting Mazda’s global collaboration strategy for the B-segment car.
Production assignments can vary by generation and market, but the Hofu plant remains the central hub for Mazda2 manufacturing.
Regional and market considerations
Beyond Japan, Mazda has used regional facilities to support local demand, and some markets have received shipments from Hofu or local assembly partners depending on the model year and market strategy. This approach helped Mazda balance supply with regional demand while maintaining consistent platform engineering shared with other B-segment vehicles.
Notes on market availability
In certain regions, the Mazda2 has been phased in and out of the lineup over the years. For example, North America offered a Mazda2 for a limited period in the early 2010s, after which the model was discontinued in that market. Availability today varies by country and generation, with Europe, parts of Asia, and Japan continuing to carry the Mazda2 in some form or another.
Summary
Bottom line: Mazda Motor Corporation makes the Mazda2. The model’s primary production sits at the Hofu plant in Japan, with regional assembly at places like AutoAlliance Thailand to serve specific markets. Availability evolves with Mazda’s product strategy, but the Mazda2 remains a globally recognized subcompact hatchback built and distributed by Mazda.
Is the Mazda 2 a Toyota Yaris?
No, a standard Mazda 2 is not a Toyota Yaris, but in certain markets, a specific model called the "Mazda 2 Hybrid" is a rebadged Toyota Yaris. The relationship is a bit of a role reversal from a few years ago, when the Yaris sedan sold in North America was a rebadged Mazda 2.
This video explains the relationship between the Mazda 2 Hybrid and the Toyota Yaris: 1mAUTO TVYouTube · Feb 20, 2025
The Mazda 2 Hybrid
- Shared platform: The Mazda 2 Hybrid is built on the same platform as the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and shares its powertrain, which is a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder hybrid system.
- External differences: Mazda has added its own grille and bumper designs, but the cars are otherwise very similar.
- Interior: The interiors are also virtually identical.
- Key differences: The main differences are the badges, the longer warranty offered by Toyota, and the higher price of the Mazda 2 Hybrid compared to the equivalent Yaris.
The Yaris iA/iA sedan
- Rebadged Mazda 2: For the 2015-2020 model years in North America, the Yaris sedan and Scion iA were based on the Mazda 2 and built by Mazda, making them Mazda 2s with a different front-end design and Toyota badging.
What are the most common problems with Mazda 2?
Top 5 problems of your 2:
- Engine misfire. Engine misfires in the Mazda 2 can result from worn spark plugs, faulty ignition coils, or fuel delivery issues, causing jerky acceleration, rough idling, and reduced fuel efficiency.
- Brake noise.
- Power loss.
- Air conditioning failure.
- Suspension knocking.
Why was the Mazda 2 discontinued?
The Mazda 2 was discontinued in many markets due to a combination of factors including shifting consumer demand towards SUVs, increasing production costs, and stricter emissions and safety regulations that made small, affordable cars less profitable. Instead of a next-generation model, Mazda will focus on the Mazda 2 Hybrid (a rebadged Toyota Yaris) and its SUV lineup.
Key reasons for discontinuation
- Shifting market: Consumer preference has moved away from small cars to SUVs, making the small B-segment less profitable for manufacturers.
- Increased costs: Rising costs for new safety and emissions features make it difficult to produce an affordable small car that still meets modern standards.
- Regulatory pressure: Stricter environmental regulations, such as emissions mandates, are pushing manufacturers toward electrified vehicles and away from traditional gasoline engines.
- Strategic focus: Mazda is prioritizing the production and sale of more profitable SUVs and a more heavily electrified lineup, including the Mazda 2 Hybrid, to meet its goals.
- Sales performance: In some markets, like the UK, sales figures for the traditional gasoline-powered Mazda 2 were not strong enough to justify its continuation, especially when compared to the sales of its hybrid counterpart.
- North American strategy: In the United States and Canada, the Mazda 2 was never officially sold by Mazda. Instead, the vehicle was sold under the Scion and Toyota brands, and the Yaris nameplate has since been discontinued entirely in those markets.
The future of the Mazda 2
- Mazda 2 Hybrid: In Europe and other markets, the gasoline-powered Mazda 2 has been replaced by the Mazda 2 Hybrid, which is a rebadged Toyota Yaris.
- Focus on SUVs: Mazda's future in the small car segment may be uncertain, with the company's efforts now focused on its range of crossovers and SUVs.
Does the Mazda 2 have a Ford engine?
In Europe, trim levels were S, TS and TS2. The TS and TS2 were renamed Antares and Capella in 2004. The Japanese 1.3 and 1.5 gasoline engines are not available, but Ford's 1.25-liter 16-valve Sigma engine is used, and Mazda's 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline, plus Fords 1.4 TDCi diesel are offered but called 1.4 CDTi by Mazda.
