Awards $180,000 in donations to 10 local nonprofits; invites guests for tours

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) today hosted a Community Appreciation Event with a number of notable guests including Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Mazda Motor Corporation CEO Akira Marumoto and Toyota Motor Corporation CEO Akio Toyoda, as well as dozens of elected and community leaders and Team ONE* partner companies who contributed to the successful start of MTM.

“MTM could not be where it is today without the commitment and support we received from our community, our government stakeholders and our Team ONE partners,” said Masashi Aihara, President of MTM.

Eager to express its gratitude, MTM held the ceremony to share its appreciation with community guests, while bringing Governor Ivey together with leaders of Mazda and Toyota for the first time since its November 2018 groundbreaking. Governor Ivey, Secretary Greg Canfield, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marumoto and Toyoda were invited to make remarks celebrating this exciting occasion. Prior to speakers’ remarks, MTM awarded $180,000 to 10 local nonprofits as part of its Inaugural Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Grant Fund.

“Mazda Toyota Manufacturing does more than just operate a world-class manufacturing facility in Alabama — these automakers have shown from day one that they were fully committed to community involvement,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “As today’s giving illustrates, they are making a real difference by supporting causes that are important in and around their Alabama hometown.”

MTM’s grant fund opened for applicants in March 2022 with partner The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville and offers support to local and regional organizations that serve their community through Education, Economic Impact and Quality of Life programming. MTM Grant Fund recipients included Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Agape of North Alabama, the United Way of Madison County, Drake State Technical College, Limestone County Career Technical Center, Madison County Career Tech Center, Madison City Schools, Athens State University Foundation, the Cap and Gown Project and KTECH.

“MTM has been a strong community partner since its inception,” said Mayor Battle. “We have been excited and honored to celebrate each milestone with our friends and partners, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration, contribution and prosperity.”

MTM started production of the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross in September 2021, followed by the start of production for the all-new Mazda CX-50 in January 2022. MTM currently employs more than 3,200 team members and will continue hiring an additional 800 through 2022. The $2.311 billion facility will have the capacity to assemble up to 300,000 SUVs once it reaches full production. Both the Corolla Cross and CX-50 are being produced and sold at dealerships across the country.

Individuals interested in applying for open MTM positions can visit www.mazdatoyota.com.

Additional Quotes:

Secretary Greg Canfield:

“When Mazda and Toyota announced plans for their joint venture assembly plant in Huntsville back in 2018, we cheered because we knew the facility would have a massive economic impact on North Alabama. At the same time, we were excited because we knew the automakers would be great community partners. With the generous community gifts being announced today by Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, it’s clear that excitement was justified.”

Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda:

“Toyota has always been a family company, and our new team members here at MTM are now a part of that family, all sharing the same goal of proudly producing some of the world’s finest cars, right here in Alabama.”

Mazda Corporation President Akira Marumoto:

“I would like to extend my appreciation to Governor Ivey, Secretary Canfield and Mayor Battle. I would also like to thank the people of the State of Alabama and the city of Huntsville. All of you have given a warm welcome to our employees and supported them so they can live and work safely with peace of mind in this community. Thank you so much for showing us what southern hospitality is all about.”

Mark Brazeal, Vice President of Administration, MTM:

“MTM was thrilled to celebrate this exciting day, not only with leadership from our parent companies, but with special guests like Governor Ivey, Secretary Canfield, and Mayor Battle – whose investment in this project made MTM possible for North Alabama.”