Filed under: Crossover, Mazda, First Drives

The Most Functional Miata Money Can Buy

Now, before you furiously fire off angry comments about the absolute blasphemy of soiling the Miata’s good name in reference to a crossover, hear us out. Mazda has told us over and over again that everything it has learned from the Miata project has directly influenced its new products. Case in point: the Mazda2. It’s the least-powerful offering in its class, but we’ll go on record as saying that it’s the most entertaining B-segment car offered in the United States. The Mazda2′s success is built upon its superb steering, great manual gearbox and well-balanced suspension geometry – you know, just like the Miata.

So how does this philosophy play out on a much larger vehicle like the 2013 Mazda CX-5 – a new entry in an extremely competitive class filled with big names like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape? Does Mazda’s theory of Zoom-Zoom Above All work in a segment that largely values function over fun?

Just days after the its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda let us loose in some pre-production CX-5s along the sun-drenched roads of southern California. Here, on the twisty roads through the canyons, it’s easy to see what the CX-5 is all about.

Continue reading 2013 Mazda CX-5

2013 Mazda CX-5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Scion

Sure, every age demographic is important to marketing and sales teams in the automotive industry. But automakers would love nothing more than to grab hold of a young person and instill brand loyalty at an early age.

Which manufacturers are actually doing that? According to a study conducted by TrueCar.com, car shoppers aged between 18 and 27 years old are flocking to Scion, Mitsubishi and Mazda.

Referred to as Generation Y, this group represents a vital segment of the car-shopping public. If a brand can grab you here, it has a strong chance of grabbing you again down the road. In 2009 and 2010, Scion was able to capture 21.2 percent of the Gen Y car buyers. Mitsubishi was close behind with 20.3 percent of that market, and Mazda was third with 10.7 percent. Surprisingly, Bugatti failed to make the list.

TrueCar.com also took a look at the specific models that appeal to this young segment of shoppers. The Scion tC, Mitsubishi Lancer and Honda Civic Si nabbed the top three spots for sales in the previous two years. Generation Y clearly has a thing for imports, and you can dig deeper into TrueCar’s findings by reading the full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Scion, Mitsubishi and Mazda top brands among Gen Y buyers

Scion, Mitsubishi and Mazda top brands among Gen Y buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda Philippines reported overall May sales of 258 units, a 9 percent increase over prior month.

As one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the Philippines, Mazda’s sales in the first 5 months of the year rose 7 percent from the same period a year ago to 1,338 units.

Mazda’s continued growth was driven by the demand for the popular Mazda2 and Mazda CX-7 nameplates.

The Mazda2 saw May sales of 131 units, up 39 percent versus prior month. Year-to-date sales of the popular sub-compact total 466 units, representing a 51 percent increase.

The Mazda2 continues to gain momentum for the brand through the “Make It Your Own Mazda” customization program, allowing customers the option to personalize their Mazda with exclusive decals, genuine accessories or flexible payment schemes.

The Mazda CX-7 turned in its best monthly performance of the year with sales of 66 units, a 32 percent increase over previous month. Year-to-date sales of the popular crossover SUV total to 316 units.

“We are delighted to see Mazda’s momentum continue through the month of May, supported by our strong product line-up and engaging customer promotions,” said Randy Krieger, president of Mazda Philippines.

Malaya Business Insight

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Filed below: Sedan, Vegetation/Manufacturing, Ford, Mazda

AutoAlliance International is situated in Flat Rock, Michigan, and the factory serves as a joint-venture assembly plant for Ford and Mazda. The Blue Oval builds the Mustang, whilst its Japanese companion churns out the Mazda6. There looks to be a difficulty, though – at minimum on Mazda’s conclude of the partnership.

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), is reporting that Mazda is searching to get out of the venture. In accordance to the report, the automaker will eliminate itself from the partnership by as early as 2013, sending Mazda6 manufacturing back to its Yamaguchi prefecture facilities in Japan. Mazda’s profits are understood to be hurting owing to the yen-dollar trade charge, and the Mazda6′s less-than-stellar sales volumes in the States can not be supporting, possibly.

Each Ford and Mazda are dismissing the report as speculative, but Mazda admits it has been discussing “long term ideas” for the facility.

Mazda to abandon MI joint-enterprise plant with Ford initially appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Make sure you see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda Philippines recently reported first quarter sales of 844 units, a 53 percent increase over same period last year.

Mazda attributes its promising sales figures to the Mazda2 sub-compact, continued strength of the Mazda3, and the strong demand for their crossover SUVs – the Mazda CX-7 and the Mazda CX-9.

The Mazda2 sub-compact saw first-quarter sales of 241 units, while the Mazda3 remains to be the brand’s best-selling nameplate since its 2004 introduction with 294 units.

Having redefined their respective categories, the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 remain to be popular crossover SUVs choices with 200 and 73 units sold respectively – versus 53 units and 9 units in the first quarter prior year.

For March, Mazda Philippines sold 341 units, a 36 percent increase year-over-year.

To further the Mazda brand presence across the country, the company will open two new dealerships in key locations over the next two months – Mazda Cagayan de Oro and Mazda Dagupan.

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Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Mazda, Russia

Wanton destruction of Mazda sedans – Click above to watch the video after the jump

You know those cranes that you see at many large grocery stores? You know, the ones with the shiny, pointy claws that can’t seem to pick up a teddy bear or some fuzzy dice. They’re infuriating to use, mostly because you know you just got duped into paying fifty cents for something that you just can’t win. They have the same claws in Russia, and apparently they’re infinitely larger, more functional and far more hostile towards the Mazda6.

Beyond the jump is some video that we just can’t explain. It involves a massive, absolutely awesome crane truck grabbing onto the roofs of a pair of perfectly good-looking Mazdas and simply tossing them into an equally huge bin attached to said truck.

We have no idea why these Mazdas were taken in such a hostile manner, but we’re hoping it’s not because they were parked in a loading zone. And why is it that we can only see Mazdas in this parking lot? So many questions. So much destruction. (We’re guessing these cars were somehow damaged and destroyed for insurance purposes, but we can’t say for sure.)

Hit the jump to watch this puzzling and destructive video for yourself, if only to marvel at the skill of the crane operator. And if you speak Russian, let us know what the guys making the video are saying.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia

Video: Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mazda

Automotive News is reporting that Mazda has suspended U.S. dealers from ordering vehicles made in Japan. The automaker is apparently preparing to close down plants once more after briefly opening doors after the earthquake and tsunami activity on March 11.

This doesn’t mean that Mazda vehicles are going to dry up overnight, though. The automaker says that the ordering would only cover vehicles to be allocated for May, and that the company has decent vehicle stockpiles for U.S. buyers. As of right now, there’s no indication as to when ordering will resume.

Mazda is reported to have had a 93-day supply of vehicles on dealer lots at the beginning of this month. While that figure is down from a 123-day supply in February, Automotive News says that a 60-day supply is considered normal for the industry. The automaker currently imports the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, and CX-9 models

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Mazda dealers in U.S. asked not to order cars from Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Kia, Rumormill

Kia is seriously considering adding a two-seat droptop along the lines of Mazda’s MX-5 to its portfolio. European CEO Paul Philpott has stated that the automaker will expand and enhance its volume offerings during 2011 and 2012, but that a roadster could be in the cards shortly thereafter.

Philpott is not alone in his desires for a Kia sports car. Paul Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Designer, believes that the Korean automaker needs a truly sporty vehicle in the lineup (sorry, Forte Koup).

UK-based magazine Auto Express has put together a rendering of such a vehicle, and it clearly draws heavily from the Pontiac Solstice. However, it should be noted that the idea of a sports car in the lineup is not a totally foreign concept. From 1995 through 1999, Kia held licensing rights to the Lotus Elan and produced the Kia Elan for the Korean Market.

Kia is also reportedly working on a small, all-wheel-drive vehicle to slot below the Sportage. The Soul is due for a revamp within the next two years, so it makes sense that the funky hatchback could get all-wheel drive as part of its overhaul.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rumormill: Kia planning Mazda MX-5 fighter, all-wheel-drive Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Mazda

Mazda has been trumpeting its “gram strategy” to cut weight on all of its products, and the best example of how this philosophy works is in the new MX-5 GT race car. The roadster, which will compete in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship this year, weighs just 1,874 pounds while packing nearly twice the punch of the standard MX-5.

The heavily modified MX-5 engine produces 275 horsepower – enough juice to propel the light-weight roadster to 60 miles per hour in a scant three seconds flat. The race-ready Mazda can also crest 160 mph while looking damn fine with its new Spirited Green paint job.

In order to cut several hundred pounds off the base MX-5, the Jota Sport racing team removed interior components, revised other interior fittings and dipped the car’s shell in acid. The doors, like many interior components, are made of carbon fiber and the windows are made of polycarbonate. The racing team also lowered the engine height, adjusted the suspension and added a six-speed paddle shift transmission to aid with handling.

The Mazda MX-5 GT race car sees its first action on Saturday at a three-hour endurance race at Silverstone. See the lightweight MX-5 for yourself in the gallery below. Trust us, you’re going to want one.

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Ultra lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT unveiled for British enduro racing

Ultra lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT unveiled for British enduro racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM, Mazda

General Motors halted production at six of its plants last week after a fire at Magna International interrupted the companies’ supply of interior parts. The conflagration also halted production at the AutoAlliance International Ford-Mazda joint-venture plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, and Automotive News says that Mustang production there won’t resume until Friday, March 11. AN does not give a timeframe for when the Mazda6, also produced at AutoAlliance, will head back into production.

According to reports, the fire started on Wednesday and took nearly a day to put out, damaging around 40 percent of the 187,000-square-foot Magna Atrium plant in Michigan. The Atrium plant builds door panels, instrument clusters and interior trim pieces for GM, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda and Nissan.

Thankfully, the fire didn’t injure any workers, but Magna officials are still trying to determine the extent of the physical damage. No word yet on what the monetary damages will be from the fire, but according to The Detroit News, about half the plant is already back up and running, and the Detroit Free Press indicates that GM will resume full production at its plants today.

[Sources: The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: AFP/Getty]

Report: GM resumes production after Magna fire, Mazda and Ford still slow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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