July 23, 2008
Mazda Motor Corporation releases the newly developed Mazda Biante in Japan. The 2008 Biante minivan comes with an incredibly spacious interior, a unique and highly functional exterior and a high performance engine with increased gas mileage. According to Mazda’s press release, target sales per month are around 3,000 units.
The Mazda Biante minivan possesses the widest and longest interior dimensions in its class. Its cabin width is approximately 1,545 mm and its length around 2,990 mm. It comes with a “living mode” function for its second row passenger seats, where the seats can be moved backwards by an incredible 863 mm for better leg room. Raising the rear seats and lowering the hip point of the minivan’s front seats, along with the use of the compact saddle-type headrests for the third and second rows could also create a more spacious setting for the van’s many passengers.
It also possesses dual sliding doors and ultra-low floors for easy access to the rear seats. These power sliding doors also come with touch sensors that prevent them from closing when there is something obstructing their path.
To keep the air inside the Mazda Biante clean and fresh, the minivan comes equipped with automatic air conditioner features like an allergy buster that removes viruses and allergens instantly. It also has an ion generator that neutralizes allergens, odors and bacteria. Its deodorizers are also crafted to neutralize unwelcome odors easily and efficiently.
As for engine performance, as can be expected from Mazda, the Biante is equipped with high performance direct-injection engines that offer more power, better fuel economy and great environmental performance to your ride. For more information on this excellent minivan, visit the Mazda Website today.
Main Source: Mazda.com
June 19, 2008
After the devastating earthquake rocked Japan, giant automaker Mazda Motor Corporation announced that it was donating two million Yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. According to Mazda’s official website, the money is to be distributed by the Japanese Red Cross Society for relief and rescue efforts in the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.
During this horrible time, I think it’s great that Mazda is extending a helping hand to those in need.
May 10, 2008
Mazda’s official website has recently released news of bringing the brand-new Mazda6 to the North American auto market. This Mazda6 is said to be specially designed for the North American customers, improving but still bringing to the plate, the superior driving performance and the sporty style of the company’s first generation Mazda6. The North American Mazda6 sports better engine displacement and a larger body to cater to the specific demands of the North American consumers. To suit the North American road conditions, Mazda North American Operations has further enriched the comfort and the handling of this high performance vehicle.
According to Mazda’s senior managing executive officer who is in charge of overseas sales and marketing, Daniel T. Morris, immediately after the release of the CX-9 and the CX-7, the all new and specialized Mazda6 is now the third vehicle from Mazda that has been specifically engineered and designed to meet the standards of the North American Market.
The brand new North American Mazda6 features Mazda’s 3.7-L V6 engine and the newly-designed 2.5-L, I4 (inline four-cylinder) engine. The brand new I4 engine is currently available in the Japanese and the European Mazda6 models. The all-new Mazda6 will be available as a four-door sedan and will be produced by the AutoAlliance International located in Flat Rock, Michigan. This will be a joint investment with the company’s partner Ford Motor Company.
For more on this great Mazda update, click here.
April 26, 2008
It wasn’t really a big surprise when Mazda Motor Corporation announced yesterday that it had garnered one of the most prestigious awards presented by the Automotive Engineers of Japan Awards. Mazda, one of the most popular and influential automakers worldwide, was presented the Outstanding Technical Paper Award for its remarkable analysis of the combustion process and mechanism of various catalysts in diesel particulate fibers.
Mazda has actually been conducting rigorous research on combustion mechanisms to find the most efficient way by which obtrusive matter like soot can be eliminated from the emissions of diesel engine exhausts. Mazda came up with a unique and original analytical method that showed how a catalyst’s oxygen exchange characteristics can play a crucial role in speeding up the process of combustion of specific types of matter. The research presented by the Hiroshima-based company will definitely help in developing an incredibly proficient and reliable diesel particulate filter (DPF) that can be used in the future. Another advantage presented by this research is that if developed well in the future, it could be used for general purpose diesel engines and not just vehicle diesel engines. The award distinguishes the unique achievement that could potentially give concrete development guidelines for the great array of succeeding diesel engine technologies.
If you’ve noticed, diesel engines are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. In Europe alone, most drivers prefer diesel engines because this type of engine has superior fuel economy compared to gasoline engines. Diesel engines also release less CO2 emissions, thereby lessening man’s contribution to global warming. However, for a diesel engine to function properly, it first needs to undergo combustion, a form of treatment process that is necessary in order to take out particulate matter or soot which is normally produced in the vehicle’s exhaust. For efficient combustion of soot, it is necessary for the exhaust gases to receive sufficient heating, and this means added fuel, which is one of the main reasons behind the impaired fuel economy.
Mazda aims to put power behind this brand new analytical method to find better means that could help increase particulate matter combustion that is intended to greatly lessen exhaust processing time.
This technology is meant to reduce fuel consumption while creating cleaner exhaust emissions by cutting back on CO2.
Japan’s Society of Automotive Engineers has been having annual awards since 1951. The reason behind these yearly awards is a way to encourage the continued development of automotive technologies and engineering. The “Outstanding Technical Paper Award” is one that distinguishes the progressive and brilliant research conducted by individuals and their collaborators in the field of automotives.
Click here to read more about this brilliant news.
April 10, 2008
Not so pleasant news for Mazda lovers out there, myself included. According to AFP in Tokyo, the Mazda Motor Corp. is set to recall over 180,000 trucks and passenger vehicles, most of which were sold in Japan. The recall was announced Thursday. The reason for the recall? Possible glitches in the computer system and the car’s accelerator.
After discovering the possible failure and errors found in the system that controls the engines of the vehicles, Japan’s fifth biggest automaker is set to recall 170,300 Verisa, Accela and Demio passenger automobiles in Japan—all of which were produced sometime between March 2005 until October 2007.
According to the company, it seems as if the glitch in the system was causing drivers difficulties when it came to slowing the vehicles down while releasing the accelerator pedal.
There were approximately 16 complaints that came from Japan. To clarify, there has been no accidents reported due to this system error—but I think that you would agree that when it comes to vehicle safety, it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.
Aside from the number of vehicles to be recalled in Japan, the company also expects to recall vehicles in Singapore and Australia. The number of vehicles to be recalled may amount to about 17,000. The reason behind the recall in both countries is due to the fact that Australia and Singapore happens to be the main export markets for Mazda.
Other vehicles to be recalled include the Japan 136 Titan commercial trucks that were created between the time period of June 1995 and February 2000. There have been reports of potential problems possibly rooted in the brake boosters of these trucks.
April 8, 2008
**news taken from Mazda website
A new company will arise from Mazda. The company is set to focus on providing Mazda car owners premium car parts as an attempt to strengthen the company’s domestic sales structure.
The Mazda Motor Corporation is planning on merging nine different affiliated parts sales companies; all picked from 13 prime auto parts companies in the Japanese market. The new company is to be named Mazda Parts Company Limited and is part of the big Mazda sales enhancement dealings for the Japanese Market called the Mazda Advancement Plan.
The following are the nine sales companies that are to be merged to form the Mazda Parts Company Limited:
Mazda Parts Kyushu Company Limited, Mazda Parts Sales Higashi-Chugoku Company Limited, Mazda Parts Sales Niigata Company Limited, Mazda Parts Kanto Company Limited, Mazda Parts Sales Tohoku Company Limited, Mazda Parts Sales Nagano Company Limited, Mazda Parts Kinki Company Limited and Mazda Parts Sales Nishi-Shikoku Company Limited.
For more information on Mazda Parts Co., Ltd., visit the Mazda website.
April 4, 2008
Before anything else, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty and sophistication of the high performance Mazda Taiki… Sleek and stylish, the Mazda Taiki is definitely a gorgeous sight to behold. That being said, back to more important matters.
Word has it that Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corporation is going to be showcasing the brand new Mazda Taiki and Mazda 6 in the 2008 Beijing Motor Show. The cars are going to be out on display from the 20th until the 28th of April.
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January 17, 2008
To those who have their doubts regarding the off-road capability of Mazda CX-9 can shut their doubts off now as Mazda CX-9 is now the proud owner of the 2008 North American Truck of the Year Award. Although I don’t there are many of them who doubt Mazda’s celebrated CX-9. This is actually the Japanese automaker’s first time to win the said award and it’s all thanks to its producing the Mazda CX-9. This award had been given to Mazda CX-9 during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January 13, 2008.
The Truck of the Year Award has been established in 1994 and it is actually one of North America’s most prestigious motoring awards. The vehicles that are awarded with the Truck of the Year Award have earned the highest scores in safety, handling, driver satisfaction, design, and value for money. 45 prominent automotive journalists from the United States and Canada are the ones who determine which vehicle should be provided with this award. These journalists assess the 2008 model year truck’s category which includes conventional trucks and sports utility vehicles.
President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, Jim O’Sullivan, said, "This truly is an honor. Since we brought CX-9 to market, it’s been a hit with media, customers and dealers alike. This vehicle represents everything a Mazda SUV should be: dynamically styled, powerful, with top-notch craftsmanship and a lot of fun to drive. Today’s award is proof that says we just might be on to something special."
The Mazda CX-9 won this award perhaps because of its skillful blending of the sporty driving signature of Mazda with the practicality brought by a seven-passenger sport utility vehicle. This Mazda model was able to successfully break out from the traditional SUVs because of its having dynamic styling, spacious interior, powerful and dynamic driving performance, and thus won high scores. Sales of the Mazda CX-9 started in January 2007 in North America and during the end of 2007, sales in Australia and Saudi Arabia were launched.
The Mazda CX-9, thanks to its array of impressive safety features, earned the highest possible scores in frontal and side impact crashes from the test made by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S government. Therefore, it was given a five-star frontal and side impact crash test ratings. Aside from that, it also received four star rating for rollover resistance. And Mazda CX-9 has also been given the 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year award by Motor Trend magazine.
January 15, 2008
Top level sports vehicles of Mazda will score new paint schemes for the racing programs this year as the Japanese automaker has closed a multi-year partnership deal with BP and Castrol. For the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the No. 70 Mazda RX-8 will be taking the green flag during this event covered in new Castrol Syntec colors.
The No. 70 Mazda RX-8 is the car driven by a number of professional drivers namely Nick Ham, Raphael Matos, David Haskell, and Sylvain Tremblay. This particular vehicle was a part of a very special integration of race cars from Mazdaspeed Motorsports that will be on display at Mazda’s booth during the North American International Auto Show happening in Detroit this month.
The No. 70 Mazda RX-8’s paint scheme was actually a direct tie-in to the Furai concept of the Japanese automaker which had been unveiled just some months back. The rear fenders and the nose of the vehicle have dashed lines and these are the latest interpretation from the designers of Mazda vehicles. This was actually inspired by the paint scheme used by the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans winning Mazda 787B. And during the full 2008 Rolex GT, the drivers of the No. 70 Mazda RX-8 will be Ham and Tremblay.
Mazda’s Manager of Motorsports Team Development, John Doonan, commented saying, "This new partnership has been in the making for the last couple of years and we could not be prouder to be associated with such a great brand. The target audience of both of our companies is nearly a direct match, with so many enthusiasts recognizing that our brands ‘get-it’ when it comes to products that we bring to market. To be able to carry the Castrol Syntec colors into the 2008 season gives our RX-8 customer car program tremendous momentum and validation!"
Tremblay, the team principal at SpeedSource, also said, “We could not be more thankful to everyone at Mazda for their belief in the vision to develop the RX-8 as we have…and to have six Mazda RX-8s on the entry list…amazing! And then to add a brand name like Castrol to the program makes it even more special. We are very much looking forward to representing such a great company with a rich Motorsports heritage. To have the car in the Mazda display here in Detroit gives everyone a sense of tremendous momentum heading into the new season. Now we just have to deliver."
Other than that, another Mazda vehicle will be in a new “team car” reverse paint scheme during the Rolex 24 At Daytona. This vehicle is the No. 69 FXDD Mazda RX-8 driven by Emil Assentato, the 2007 Bob Akin Cup Winner. Lonnie Pechnik, Nick Lohngi, and Jeff Segal are the other racers who also drive the No. 69 FXDD Mazda RX-8.
January 8, 2008
Mazda welcomes the year 2008 by offering its loyal customers with the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9. This Mazda sports utility vehicles boats of a sleek and versatile styling. According to Motor Trend, the Mazda CX-9 is “The premium blend of performance, utility, and value.” These descriptions are evident on the three trim levels of the Mazda CX-9 – CX-9 Sports, CX-9 Touring, and CX-9 Grand Touring.
Mazda enthusiasts will be happy to know that Mazda CX-9 has a 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve engine capable of producing 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. it is equipped with rain-sensing wipers that quickly activated on the first drops of rain when the CX-9 was tested. For safety, Mazda has incorporated heated outside mirrors with side marker lights. This helps the drivers see even when its raining and be clearly seen by other motorists on the road.
There are automatic xenon head-intensity discharge low-beam headlights help in providing drivers with an enhanced and automatic night time illumination. But of course, these headlights are still equipped with manual leveling adjustments. The tail lights are noteworthy as well. They make use of a horizontal array of multiple light-emitting diodes to ensure that drivers are provided with brighter, reliable, and more visible shine and longer service life as well.
The tested Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring trim turned out to be real comfortable and provides drivers with a sense of importance. Plus, as it has a unique styling, it makes it really fun to drive around the neighborhood for everyone to see. A lot of safety features are also integrated and these include the traction control system, front air bags, front-side impact air bags. There are even a 36-month/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 60-month/60,000-,mile warranty on the powertrain to help in maintaining the power and beauty of this Mazda sports utility vehicle. CX-( even scored a four star rating from the government for the frontal, side crash, and rollover ratings.
Fuel economy of this Mazda model is recorded by the Environmental Protection Agency to be at 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. This is not quite impressive but I’m sure Mazda will do something about its low scores on fuel economy in the future with its other models, like when it released the Mazda2 diesel.
