DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[Docket No. 22-85]
50 FR 27471
July 3, 1985
Foreign-Trade Zone 70; Detroit, MI; Application for Subzone at Mazda Auto
Plant in Flat Rock
TEXT: An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board
(the Board) by the Greater Detroit Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc., grantee of
Foreign-Trade Zone 70, requesting special-purpose subzone status for the
automobile manufacturing plant of Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Corporation
(MMUC) in Flat Rock, Michigan, adjacent to the Detroit Customs port of entry.
The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade
Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the regulations of the Board
(15 CFR Part 400). It was formally filed on June 10, 1985.
The proposed subzone would be located at Gibralter Rd. and Interstate 75
in Flat Rock, Wayne County, Michigan, where a 350 acre facility is under
construction. It will employ 3500 persons to produce compact automobiles.
At the outset, about half the value of the auto will involve foreign parts
and material such as engines, transmissions, steering gears, brake
assemblies, steel and some subframe components. The company plans to
substantially increase domestic sourcing over the next few years. Some
exports are expected.
Zone procedures will allow Mazda to avoid duty payments on the foreign
parts used in its exports. On its domestic sales the company will be able to
take advantage of the same duty rate available to importers of finished
autos. The duty rates on most of the components ranges from 2.0 to 8.0
percent whereas the duty rate on finished autos is 2.6 percent. Subzone
status will be an important factor in full utilization of this plant.
In accordance with the Board's regulations, an examiners committee has
been appointed to investigate the application and report to the Board. The
committee consists of: Dennis Puccinelli, (Chairman), Foreign-Trade Zones
Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; William
Morandini, District Director, U.S. Customs Service, North Central Region,
477 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226; and Colonel Raymond T. Beurket,
District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District Detroit, P.O. Box 1027,
Detroit, MI 48231. Comments concerning the proposed subzone are invited in
writing from interested persons and organizations. They should be addressed
to the Board's Executive Secretary at the address below and postmarked on
or before August 9, 1985.
A copy of the application is available for public inspection at each of
the following locations:
U.S. Dept. of Commerce District Office,
445 Federal Bldg, 231 W. Lafayette,
Detroit, MI 48226
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 1529,
14th and Pennsylvania NW.,
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dated: June 27, 1985
John J. Da Ponte, Jr.,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 85-15891 Filed 7-2-85; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-M