Mazda Oz, Operating in Black, Adds Green HQ Building

Mazda caps 15 years of growth in Australia by opening a spectacular new national headquarters in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs.

The Japanese automaker lays claim to one of the longest, sustained periods of growth by any car manufacturer in the industry.

In 2001 it employed 130 people, sold 34,126 vehicles and was the country’s seventh-ranked manufacturer.

Last year Mazda became Australia’s second-most popular car brand, employing more than 300 staff and selling a record 114,024 units.

The new purpose-built 5-star green HQ, as certified by the Green Building Council Australia, will house Mazda’s national and Victoria state headquarters as well as a state-of-the-art training center when it opens next month.

Mazda’s designation as a registered training organization allows it to offer nationally accredited light-vehicle mechanical technology courses. More than 750 Mazda dealer technicians will use the training facilities annually to update their skills.

The automaker is adding four dealerships to its current roster of 130 with the new entrants to be positioned in high-population growth corridors.

The brand has sold more than 100,000 vehicles a year in Australia in each of the past four years, a feat not achieved by any other full-line import brand, and its market share is approaching 10%.

“This all-new premises will provide our employees with the appropriate environment and space to prepare Mazda Australia for the next phase of its evolution, which is closely aligned with the wonderful portfolio of products being developed by Mazda in Japan,” Mazda Australia Managing Director Martin Benders says in a statement.