The Flat Rock, Mich. plant, Mazda and Ford share is currently the only facility in the U.S., where the Japanese automaker is building vehicles. But sales of the Mazda6 were down to 45,000 units in 2010, and, combined with the Mustang production plant is run only one shift. This is simply not viable.
Automotive News reports that the Japanese automaker is weighing options for the facility. Those decisions can produce overhaul of the system to a greater variety of models, at the handover of the plant to Ford or something a bit darker. AN reported that the question of whether the plant could be closed, Kiyoshi Ozaki, Mazda CFO said. "Never say never"
One complication is the fact that Mazda is already exporting 80 percent of all vehicles from Japan. This is a problem as the yen could be difficult to get to a 15-year high, which make profits has increased. In fact, Mazda lost $ 32,500,000 in the last quarter of 2010.
Mazda says that should the two new pieces of hardware contribute to the Mazda3 deliver more torque at mid-range speeds, and that the trick should be good enough to increase fuel economy on the road. As you may recall, the G-SkyActiv engine direct injection design with a friction block is to minimize mechanical drag.
This is the first time that either the new engine and transmission ever offered in a production vehicle, and the company's designers have thrown in a few exterior tweaks to the occasion. Buyers can be easily modified to front and rear bumpers and new 16 - and 17-inch wheels. The more efficient Mazda3 is expected to arrive in dealerships by the end of this year. Hit the jump for the full press release.
First and foremost, the minivan driven by a growth spurt HGH gone by a variety of pop whiz features like a second sliding door and ridiculously convenient storage options on the road. The other major development has been directed to a flood of SUVs and crossovers, the attention of the consumer from the minivan to the point where many automakers have not been a more. But as America's illustrate suddenly completely new or significantly updated batch of minivans (see: Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey), many car manufacturers by the secular van answered in the automotive equivalent of a family wellness day. This new van containing almost luxurious comfort and convenience, and it is not at all uncommon for them to $ 40,000 or more chambers.
If you can afford their monthly payments come to the newest minivans on the market is probably good your needs. But what if you want something smaller, more efficient and perhaps most importantly, good value? Something more like the original caravan? At the moment there is only one choice on the market: the 2012 Mazda5. While the rest of the auto industry with larger and more opulent selection zigged, the Zoom-Zoom car manufacturer with a minivan that almost the size of the original Caravan Zack, and a price tag starting under $ 20,000. We took the reins of a well-equipped 2012 Mazda5 Touring see if Mazda nice little van has the chops to take on the big boys.
From a fully charged Power Retractable Hardtop Grand Touring model based and limited to only 750 units of the special edition Mazda has discovered the easiest way for its Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray Mica exterior paint colors and high-sheen 17-inch alloy wheels. The interior sports gray upholstery, chrome accents and aluminum pedals (6MT only). Unique are the basics MX-5 standard-package suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, a limited slip differential and sport-tuned shock absorbers. Motivation of the 2593-pound two-seater Mazda's 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 167 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque (158 hp with the 2619-pound 6AT) evaluated.
If the product information your imagination to catch willing to shell out $ 30,925 for the manual transmission model and $ 31,525 for the six-speed automatic transmission.
900,000 units is a heck of a milestone, and this is exactly the benchmark production of the Mazda MX-5 Miata in the course of his 22-year lifetime has reached so far. And to celebrate, Mazda is launching a commemorative special edition.
Presented at the Chicago Auto Show offers the MX-5 Miata Special Edition an interior space in a unique color scheme of gray leather with gray stitching and aluminum trim decorated. It is based on the PRHT model, so it's got a retractable hardtop, and comes with the otherwise optional Premium and standard packages, special suspension and 17-inch alloys.
Buyers can choose from Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray, with automatic or manual six-speed gearbox. Only 750 examples will be made available exclusively in North America, with pricing starting at $ 30,925. Detailed information in the press release after the jump.
Mazda is preparing a fleet of electric vehicles, which will be available for leasing in Japan. Based on the Demio/Mazda2, these EVs use the automaker's new SKYACTIV drive technology. Mazda is for a 200-mile driving range shots (about 124 miles) and plans to begin leasing program in spring 2012.
The target group will be the vehicle for community groups and fleet customers. Mazda ultimate goal of the program is to refine his knowledge of electric vehicles by collecting data on EV requirements and drive technology. For full details, follow the jump for the automaker's short press release.
Chrysler, the automaker to the top of the minivan movement in the 1980s, is seriously thinking about his family tractor business. As we reported earlier, the Chrysler is scrapping one of the two twins minivan by 2013, making room for a small micro-van within the next few years to start - a vehicle that compete with the likes of the Ford C-Max and Mazda5 . Now, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, reports confirmed that a hybrid version of the company's next-generation minivan on the way, should be up to 2013 debut.
Which is for use in hybrid minivans use the same drive technology, we shall see in the gasoline-electric version of the Chrysler 300 sedan, will also be set to start in 2013 planned the drive train. The factory, where both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are built today - The new van will be built at the automobile manufacturer Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada
Mazda has left the official statement of the company Minagi fall concept. The sleek CUV to all of us a little taste of exactly where Mazda design conducted in the near future, as it also shows the company Skyactiv new propulsion technologies. Mazda is not telling us exactly what formed under the hood other than to say that the Minagi gets its power from a Skyactiv engine and brings it to the ground via a Skyactiv transmission. Claimed addition to these fuel-saving components, that the Mazda Minagi used a variety of weight-saving tricks to increase fuel consumption.
The concept of the new Mazda design theme called Kodo or with the soul of the movement. From what we can see from the illustrations, the appearance of a complete galaxy all smiles before the design of the Japanese car manufacturer currently employs. We are excited to see how the lines in the real world than the concept shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March translated. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Although the Mazda Shinari concept probably will not see the light of day as a production vehicle, the design really affect the next crop of Mazda production vehicles. Case in point: The Minagi concept that works with the Geneva Motor Show in March's debut. Take a look at this crossover concept of front-end and the Shinari influence is crystal clear.
If the Minagi comes to life, it will slot below the CX-7 in the Mazda lineup. In fact, we've already spied a test mule for the new small CUV called the CX-5, which means, Mazda plans to produce progress in a fairly rapid pace. A good thing, as we wait to see how this crossover Shinari inspired looks are in motion.
