Mazda to Woo SEMA Show Crowd with MX-5 Spyder and Mazda2 Turbo Hot Hatch

The countdown to the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas is heating up with only a few days left before the big event kicks off on Tuesday, November 1.

Mazda will be there with at least two concept models including the MX-5 Spyder and the Mazda2 Turbo.

Read more »

Raw Video: Driver, Beware of the Spicy Newscaster…

We can't see what reporter Alison Ariotti from Australia's Nine Network was wearing during this live TV broadcast, but the…package must have been interesting enough to distract the driver of the black Mazda CX-7 SUV who zoom-zoomed his attention from the road and on to the young lady and as a result, collided with a Mazda parked behind her.

So the lesson here folks is that if you happen to stumble upon a TV crew filming in the side of the road, please keep your eyes where they should be…

Read more »

Mazda to Introduce New Clean Diesel Models in Japan Starting with the CX-5

Up until now and despite their popularity in other regions especially in Europe, diesel vehicles have yet to win Japanese consumers. This is mainly due to the costs associated with the NOx emission-reducing technologies that are necessary for diesel engines to meet the country's stringent exhaust gas regulations.

Mazda says it has overcome this problem with its brand-new SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that made its debut on the CX-5 crossover.

Read more »

Tokyo Motor Show: New Mazda Takeri Concept Previews Next Mazda6

Mazda fans may be unhappy about the RX-8’s demise, but the Hiroshima-based automaker has a history of displaying well received concepts that eventually enter production, like the RX-Evolve and the Minagi.

The company's latest concept is the Takeri and it will be unveiled at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show on November 30. The Takeri is a mid-size sedan that effectively gives us an early glimpse at the Mazda6's replacement, which is expected to arrive in the market in the first half of 2013.

Read more »

New Vietnamese Plant Begins Production of Mazda2

Mazda held a grand opening ceremony at Vietnam today to celebrate the beginning of local assembly of its Mazda2 model.

The new plant is located in the Nui Thanh district of Quang Nam province in central Vietnam and was constructed by Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a 100-percent local car assembly and sales company with no capital ties to Mazda Motor Corporation.

Read more »

Mazda Begins Construction of New Mexican Plant that will Produce the Mazda2 and Mazda3

In order to keep up with the growing demand in the Central and South American markets as well as to reduce its dependence on Japan, Mazda has formed a new joint venture Sumitomo Corporation to build a new factory hub in Mexico.

The joint venture facility is named Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (MMMdM) and is located in the Mexican city of Salamanca, in the state of Guanajuato.

Read more »

Japanese Carmakers' Production Back on Track, But it May not be Enough

For the first time after the March 11 earthquake and Tsunami, Japanese automakers have returned to their normal production levels. In fact, they are superseding last year’s numbers in an effort to make up for the lost time.

Toyota and Nissan, Japan’s two biggest car manufacturers are leading the pack, reporting increased production for the first time since March, with Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, Subaru and Mitsubishi following their lead.

Read more »

Mazda PR Tweets that the Company is Working on New Rotary Engine-Powered Model(s)

Even though Mazda President and CEO, Takashi Tamanouchi, has repeatedly stated that the company will continue to develop the firm's rotary engine after the demise of the RX-8 sports car in June of 2012, many have questioned the company's commitment to the Wankel concept.

To calm the Japanese brand's fans, Mazda posted a tweet on its Japanese account that said it is "zealously" planning the development of "new models", which will be equipped with a rotary engine.

Read more »

Mazda Bids Farewell to RX-8 with Japan-Only Spirit R Special Edition

We already knew that Mazda has decided to kill-off the RX-8 four-door coupe sooner rather than later. More strict fuel economy and CO2 emission regulations saw to that, forcing the Hiroshima-based carmaker to pull it from overseas markets and keep it alive in Japan only.

Today, Mazda announced that it is launching a final special edition of its rotary-engined sports car, which will only be available in the domestic market with sales set to start on November 24. Production will be limited to 1,000 units.

Read more »

New Mazdas to Use "Super-Strong" Bumpers Starting with the 2012 CX-5

All upcoming Mazda models including the CX-5 compact crossover that's due for its global launch in early 2012 will come equipped with "super-strong" steel bumper beams, the company announced this week.

The new ultra-high tensile steel is rated at 1,800 MPa and was developed as part of Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY program. The steel bars fit inside the front and rear bumpers. According to Mazda, the beams are 20 percent stronger but also 4.8 kilograms (10.5 pounds) lighter than previous versions.

Read more »

Mazda Drops Pricing on 2012 Mazda3 with Skyactive Engines and Transmissions

Touting the first North American application of Mazda's new fuel-efficient and performance-oriented technologies branded under the Skyactiv name, the refreshed 2012 Mazda3 has arrived in U.S. showrooms.

Available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, the 2012 Mazda starts at $15,200 (all prices listed here do not include a $795 destination charge).

Read more »

Mazda Launches MX-5 “Black Tuned” Limited Edition in Japan

The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is the best-selling two-seater sports car in the world. Now in its third generation, Mazda’s roadster has seen its fair share of special editions since it was first launched in 1989. The latest variant to hit the streets is the Black Tuned edition, which was launched today in Japan. Read more »

IAA 2011: European Debut for the 2012 Mazda3 Facelift

Making its European debut alongside the all-new CX-5 compact crossover in Frankfurt is the facelift version of the Mazda3.

The updated C-segment model, which is available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback derivatives, features some minor cosmetic touches in the form of a reworked front end with a different bumper and grille design, new alloy wheels and a restyled rear bumper.

Read more »

All-New Mazda CX-5 Crossover Makes its World Premiere in Frankfurt

The main attraction at Mazda's stand at the in Frankfurt is the brand-new CX-5 compact crossover that will spearhead the automakers efforts against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Mazda says that the CX-5 is the first of a new generation of models that will adopt the new KODO design philosophy and the full suite of its SKYACTIV technologies.

Read more »

Mazda Drops New Photos and Videos of CX-5 Compact Crossover

You've already had a quick sneak peek at the brand-new Mazda CX-5, but the Japanese automaker has published a new set of photos and videos of the small SUV while testing in Europe. While most images show the CX-5 in camouflage, we do get two new press pictures including a rear shot of the vehicle.

The new CX-5 replaces the Tribute, which itself was a rebadged Ford Escape, as Mazda tries to go against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and the VW Tiguan in the small/compact SUV market with a more appropriate and modern proposal.

Read more »

Mazda Exec Says New CX-5 will Reach U.S. Shores in Early 2012 with Prices Starting from Around $20k,

It won't be long before we get our first intimate taste of the all-new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV at its world premiere in Frankfurt, but we now have some interesting news about the North American variant, courtesy of Hideaki Tanaka, manager of the CX-5 program.

During the first press test drive event of a pre-production model, Tanaka told Autonews that the CX-5 will arrive in the States early next year, adding that while Mazda has not finalized pricing and packaging, it will likely carry a base MSRP of around $20,000, close to $3,000 less than the larger CX-7 ($22,785 with delivery).

Read more »

Mazda Australia Spicing Up New BT-50 with Locally Developed Accessories

When the new generation of the 2012 Ford Ranger’s Japanese sibling, the Mazda BT-50 pickup truck, goes on sale in Australia later this year, it will be available with a wide variety of locally designed and built genuine accessories, the company said today. Read more »

New Gen Y Buyer Survey Spells Trouble for Detroit

Auto pricing website TrueCar studied the car buying behaviour of four million Gen Y (18 to 27 year-old) over a twenty-four month period and here’s what they found.

Scion took the crown for top brand, with 37.4% of the market and for top model (the tC coupe), with 21.2%, while second place went to Mitsubishi (32.1%) and their Lancer sedan (20.3%).

Mazda was the third most visited brand for Gen Y buyers, though only 17th in terms of model. The top four vehicle choices were Japanese, with a German in seventh place and a South Korean in ninth.

Read more »

The...Lime Lantern: Mazda’s Special Edition MX-5 Roadster Coupe Karai

Another week, and rather than just another Mazda, it’s another MX-5 special edition. This one is called Karai, which according to the company is Japanese for ‘sharp’, and it comes to us from Mazda’s European division.

The Karai is based on the MX-5 Roadster coupe, which means it is fitted with a retractable hardtop. It boasts a unique lime-green paint called “Metal Green Metallic” for the body and contrasting glossy black finish for metal top, exterior mirrors, trim accents such as the front grille and fog lamp surrounds, as well as the 17-inch multispoke alloy wheels that are shod in low profile performance tires.

Read more »

Refreshed Mazda Demio goes on Sale in Japan

Mazda announced today that sales of the facelifted Mazda Demio, or Mazda2 as the rest of the world knows it, have begun in Japan. The new Mazda2 is the company’s supermini and the target sales for its home market is 6,000 units per month. Read more »