TOKYO — Mazda is discussing ending production of its vehicles at a joint venture plant in Vladivostok, eastern Russia, the Nikkei newspaper reported.
The Japanese automaker sold 30,000 cars in Russia last year.
Mazda said in March that exports of parts to the plant were going to end and production would cease when stocks ran out. It operates the plant with Russian automaker Sollers.
Mazda has not made a decision about ending car sales and maintenance operations in Russia, the Nikkei said on Saturday. There was no timeframe for stopping production at the Vladivostok plant.
Mazda and Sollers began production at the factory in 2012 after Russia’s automotive market made a strong recovery from the financial crisis of 2009.
The factory built the CX 5, Mazda 6 and a Sollers brand vehicle for the Russian market. Production capacity started at 50,000 units a year, with the aim of increasing annual output to 70,000.
Toyota said on Friday that will close its plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, amid shortages of key components and materials following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.