Mazda Kiyora

Mazda is planning to expand two of their more experimental model lines, the struggling SUV market and their still fresh city car lines. Reception to both their hybrid SUV’s and crossover vehicles like the Tribute and CX-7 have been better than your average large automobile sales.  The new products would include a city car proportioned along the lines of the Mazda Kiyora Concept as well. This comes as Mazda CEO James Muir is looking for more depth out of his Japanese brand. These two lines are poised to bring the flow or Nagare concepts (finally) to an assemble line near you.

Mazda Tribute

Mazda1 – an official (or not?) sketch released this week

Mazda2 – The popular mini-Mazda inspired the future Mazda1

Mazda1, beginning its production run in 2010, will be the first car utilizing Mazda’s Nagare designs – which will be how future vehicles from the Japanese auto maker will look, including the 2010 Mazda3. Expect the Mazda1 to have great gas mileage as well. Mazda1 will most likely take over the European market, mostly due to its size (can’t wait to see the specs) but cross your fingers these tiny Mazdas will come to North America.

A Mazda RX-7 concept? Only time will tell

Mazda’s 2006 Kabura concept is slated to be the most likely design for a 2010 RX-7, according to Consumer Guide’s Automotive section on HowStuffWorks.com. More rumors surrounding the 7 is that it will be a replacement for the RX-8, and will have a hybrid engine ready to pump high-speed, low emission rpms to the Japan streets (and eventually, the world).

Kabura concept – might be the future RX-7

Mazda Biante – Like the MPV, only more futuristic!

Has Mazda been taking design cues from Star Trek’s shuttle craft?

The Biante features an interior space around 2.0-liters, similar to other three-row minivans produced in Japan. Price details have yet to be officially broadcast. Mazda calls the Biante a developing concept of “Zoom-Zoom Tall.”

Inside the Biante is like seating for a small theater

The highly anticipated 2009 MAZDA6 is the first of Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom
Evolution” second-generation vehicles, building on a heritage of sports
sedans and sports cars that no other manufacturer can boast, and bringing a
combination of sports sedan, sophistication, build quality and product
insight not currently found in the market.

Following on the heels of the CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs, the 2009 MAZDA6 was designed and engineered for the needs, wants and desires of the North American customer. As it has been since the first MAZDA6 launched in 2002, all North American MAZDA6s will continue to be built at AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company.The North American MAZDA6 differs from the similarly named car sold in
the rest of the world in many ways: larger interior and exterior size, more
powerful engines and unique styling. What it retains, however, is something
that earned the first MAZDA6 more than 130 international awards and
accolades: it delivers Zoom-Zoom, and in large doses.

Power for the 2009 MAZDA6 will be available from an all-new
Mazda-designed and developed MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a
3.7-liter V6 as used in the 2008 CX-9, Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of
the Year and the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. Transmission
choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with
manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with
manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).

The 2009 MAZDA6 will be available only as a four-door sedan, and in
three trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, with varying levels of
standard and optional equipment.

More information on the all-new 2009 MAZDA6 sports sedan will be
available closer to launch, including specifics on engine output, trim
levels, equipment and pricing.

Looks like Chinese Customs wanted an up close & personal peek at Mazda’s Taiki Concept. Taiki was on its way to the Beijing Auto show when it was stopped for a “totally random customs search” by border authorities. Which probably translates to “let’s see if Mazda is pulling a John Z. DeLorean on the way to China.” Of course, the vehicle and Mazda representatives all cleared the check point and were back on the road, or sea, in no time. Now how do you say “Papers? We don’t need no stinkin’ PAPERS!” in Cantonese?

From PaddockTalk dot com -

“Mazda has made a promising start to this year’s Targa Tasmania. The twin Mazda3 MPS hot hatches secured first and second position in the 2WD Showroom Competition in today’s Prologue.

Resident Mazda driver Rick Bates was the fastest in the event’s 2WD production car competition, posting a time of 3min 32secs around the 5km town stage. His team mate Alister McRae ran a close second only five seconds adrift.”

But these tutoring sessions are more than just excuses for you to tear up the track – they are geared towards drivers who wish to learn both offensive and defensive highway tactics. Mazda wants their ensure customer safety and prove that being a world wide company does not keep them from being loyal and local minded.

The first major Mazda Driving School began in 2003 with Mazda:RevItUp. Some 18,000 “students” across North America sped down to racetracks and partook in a variety of classroom instructions and hands on (steering wheel) driving. The event was even covered by ESPN Radio.

Five years later, one of the biggest Mazda Driving Schools can be found in Virginia – at the over-three-mile course at Virginia International Raceway. A two-day event begins with technical instructions and concludes with students being paired off on the track based on similar experience. This combination of class environment and full-on practice can be a surefire way to become as good as any racing champion.

Mazda Produces Over One Million Units in Japan in Fiscal Year 2007

- Production volume reaches highest level in 15 years -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that domestic production in Japan during fiscal year 2007 has exceeded one million units. This marks Mazda’s highest domestic production volume in 15 years since 1992.

Masaharu Yamaki, senior managing executive officer in charge of production and business logistics, said, “We want to thank all of our valued customers across the globe who have supported Mazda and helped us break the previous 15 year-old production record. Producing over one million vehicles in Japan during the first year of our new mid-term plan, the Mazda Advancement Plan, is extremely significant. This achievement shows we are on track to reach the targets set out in the plan. We will strive to maintain this momentum and drive Mazda’s growth forward.”

Announced in March 2007, the Mazda Advancement Plan (MAP) includes business targets to be achieved in fiscal year 2010, namely: 1.6 million global retail sales, an operating profit over 200 billion yen, a return on sales (ROS) ratio of six percent, and a stable payout of dividends. In order to achieve these targets, Mazda will leverage its annual straight time production capacity in Japan, which is currently 996,000 units per year.

Mazda2 

CX-9 

Some of the highest selling models include the new Mazda2 (or Mazda Demio in Japan) and CX-9. Congratulations yet again goes out to Mazda Motor Corp. and all the Mazda Enthusiasts worldwide!

The Cougar Ace – Off the Coast of Alaska in July 2006

After an extended salvage operation The Cougar Ace was restored to her proper stance in mid-2007. But what of Mazda’s cargo? No one could be sure of what salt-air exposure and pressure from tethers would do to the performance and safety features on a car. Instead of risking customer dissatisfaction (and worse, lawsuits from accidents) Mazda decided to demolish all vehicles on board. Now, sitting at a Portland, OR wrecking yard each automobile will be pulverized to scrap…

Some of the 4,703 Mazda vehicles on board the capsized vessel

…and processed into steel fence posts.