AUTOS

Mazda Cuts Jobs in Reorganization: Mazda Motors of America said it laid off 50 employees, including 35 at its Irvine headquarters, as part of a revamping aimed at cutting costs and making the company more competitive. Sales of the Japanese auto importer’s cars and trucks--including several models produced in the United States--are off 19% for the year. Employees who were laid off were told that Friday was their last day, said Jay Amestoy, vice president of corporate relations. He said those who lost their jobs are being given severance packages and help in finding new jobs. The cuts ranged from clerical to middle management levels and hit all departments. The company, which had 1,300 employees in the United States at its peak in 1992, is down to 800 with the latest cuts. Mazda Motors of America laid off about 450 people in 1993.