Mazda to Combine Divisions in Irvine

Mazda Motor Corp., Japan’s No. 5 auto maker, said Thursday that it will combine its U.S. planning and design division with the engineering and manufacturing division in Irvine to cut costs and speed up vehicle development.

No jobs will be cut, spokesman Jay Amestoy said. Gordon Dickie, formerly Mazda’s U.S. vice president of engineering, manufacturing and supply, will head the combined unit.

Mazda, which makes the Miata sports car and MPV minivan, last year sold 243,708 vehicles in the U.S., a 1.3% market share.