Mazda expands Virginia plant

RICHMOND, Va. — Mazda North America has added a new production line at its plant in Chesterfield County.

The new line will rebuild automatic transmissions for the company's Mazda3 and Mazda5 model vehicles.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the company officially opened the $2.3 million expansion Thursday.

Twenty-one jobs have been created by the expansion. The plant now employs 41 full-time and 29 temporary workers.

The plant also rebuilds rotary engines and power steering pumps, and houses a dealer training center and an information call center. It opened in 2008.