Mazda

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 28, 2012 Mazda currently sells three crossovers; the seven-passenger CX-9, the sporty CX-7, and the new five-passenger CX-5. However, there could be a fourth crossover in the cards. CarAdvice.com.au has learned from a Mazda source that the company is thinking about building a subcompact crossover to capitalize on the growth of SUVs worldwide. “We are now developing a more compact SUV [than the CX-5] – more for Europe and we must imagine emerging markets … Eastern Europe, South America, India…” the source said. “It is common sense [to build it]. We have to develop this vehicle, whether we call it CX-2, CX-3 o…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 22, 2012 As we reported last week, Mazda isn’t doing so well. The company posted a $1.29 loss for 2011. To sure up its finances, Mazda is looking to raise 100 billion yen ($1.3 billion) through a public share offering, which would dilute the current share value by a massive 38.7%. Mazda will also seek loans of 70 billion yen from a number of Japanese banks. The monies would be used to bolster Mazda's overseas production facilities. Currently, 70% of Mazda vehicles are produced in Japan and 90% of those are exported. To fight back at rising yen (which is causing many problems for Mazda), they looking to renova…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 15, 2012 Mazda is hurting. The brand posted this week a net loss in 2011 of about $1.29 billion, its forth year of losses and the largest loss since 2011. There are two reasons; Mazda builds and exports more vehicles from Japan by percentage of total volume than any other automaker, which means it has been hurting the most due the Yen getting stronger. Also, with Ford reducing its stake in Mazda from 33% to less than 4% means Mazda doesn't have any deep pockets to help out. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi said the company is "actively" seeking partners and that "every option" is being considered. Naturally, cons…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 Mazda’s replacement for the Tribute, the CX-5 goes on sale this month with a starting price of $20,695 (*excludes $795 for destination). The $20,695 gets you into a base Sport CX-5 with a Mazda's brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine and six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic will add $1,400, and all-wheel drive adds another $1,250. Next up is the Touring model which is available with either front or all-wheel drive start at $23,895 and $25,145, respectively, and are only available with the six-speed automatic. Finally, there is the Grand Touring model which starts at $27,045 (FWD) and $28,…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 26, 2012 Mazda is busy doing tests for the upcoming 6, due sometime next year and a spy photographer happened to catch one. The photos show a current generation Mazda6 with larger fenders, lower nose, and a modifed wheelbase. That shows underneath the body, Mazda is testing the 6’s brand new platform. The 6's platform is based on the new CX-5's platform and will feature a number of innovative design elements and with be compatible with many of the SkyActiv technologies. One of the elements that will be implemented will be "ultra-high tensile steel" in its construction. The "ultra-high tensile steel" is strong…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 23, 2012 Mazda finally comfirms that a diesel engine will be arriving in early 2013. Mazda spokesman, Jeremy Barnes told Car & Driver that “It’ll be here between 15 and 18 months behind the launch of the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine in the Mazda 3.” The Mazda3 with the Skyactiv-G engine launched last October, so expect the diesel engine sometime between January and April of 2013. The vehicle that will get the diesel engine hasn't been revealed, but rumors point to the CX-5, followed by the 6 and 3. Source: Car & Driver View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 19, 2012 Mazda is heading back to basics with their next generation Miata roadster. Road & Track has learned the new Miata will be lighter than the current model thanks to a new lightweight chassis and a new 1.3L four-cylinder engine that will utilize Mazda’s SkyActiv technology (high compression ratio, direct injection, and reduced internal friction). Design of next Miata will keep the proportions of the current model and have Mazda’s Kodo design language. The front will get a large grill and narrow headlights and a character line extending from the headlights, down along the sides of the car, and ending …

Mazda has some big plans in store for the next 6 due out in 2013 and one of those could be a coupe version. A source tells What Car? that Mazda is planning a coupe version of the 6 to come out in 2014, a year after the sedan. The car will make use of Mazda's SkyActiv technologies; including engines, transmissions, and weight saving designs. The question is though, will the US see this. The first Mazda6 introduced back in 2003 was offered in sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon. The current 6 is only offered as a sedan, while the rest of the world gets a wagon version. Source: What Car? View full article

Mazda‘s global chief, Takashi Yamanouchi made some interesting comments during a press conference at the Tokyo Motor Show. Yamanouchi said a rotary powered MX-5 is a possibility down the road. “[We] can’t rule out the possibility [of a rotary-powered MX-5].” Even more interesting was Yamanouchi’s comments on merging the MX-5 and RX-8. “That kind of product is iconic for our brand. So the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that type of [sports car] product. “I can’t say, however, that they will be separate … they may be merged into one. This leaves many questions. If Mazda was to merge the two cars into one, what would it look like and when…