Mazda Tidbits

[safristi]

..I'm feelin' a lil Peckish & Thirsty ma'self....think I'll zoom zoom inta the "BEAR!!!" storey............ooh this two_four is JUST RIGHT goldilocks twist off's an ALL>.... ............nice TIDs_bits Mazda..............

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Mazda N.A. lays off 110 employees

Kathy Jackson
Automotive News
February 20, 2009 - 2:37 pm ET

LOS ANGELES -- About 110 employees of Mazda North American Operations were laid off this month, the company says.

Spokesman Jeremy Barnes says the vast majority of the layoffs occurred in the United States, which has about 800 employees.

Hit hardest was the headquarters in Irvine, Calif. -- which has 340 employees, most in sales and marketing. Barnes said other cutbacks were made at the r&d and design centers in Southern California. Layoffs also were made at the five regional offices.

"Everything is being done to reduce costs and make yourself as competitive as you can," Barnes said.

He said no officers were affected and added that Bob Mercer, vice president of dealer development, retired.

Mazda's disclosure today follows word from Hyundai Motor America employees that the company laid off 46 employees, or about 8 percent of its work force, this week.

Barnes said North American Operations covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He did not know the total number of employees in the North American unit.

In 2008, Mazda sales in the United States dropped 10.7 percent from 2007, to 263,949 units. In January, Mazda sales fell 27.3 percent from year-earlier levels while the overall U.S. market dropped 37.1 percent.

[Leviathan]

Honda, Mazda May Apply for Japanese Government Loans

Mazda

Mazda, the Japanese carmaker partially owned by Ford Motor Co., increasingly needs the funds, mainly in the U.S. and Europe, Tanaka said in a phone interview. No details have been decided regarding a request for government funding, he said.

The carmaker’s U.S. sales slid 30 percent in February to 16,401 vehicles.

No mention of a $$ amount but they say Mazda's stock rose:

Honda fell 3.5 percent to close at 2,205 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Mazda rose 5.1 percent to 124 yen.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Any news on the next generation Mazda 5?  I was thinking it would be due in 2011 (5 years since it's 2006 launch). 

Likely all the fanfare is being kept on the 3, but would appreciate anyone's insights!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Mazda to battle hybrids with engine improvements


March 26, 2009 - 4:15 am ET

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Mazda Motor Corp. said today it expected to develop a diesel engine that was cheaper and about as fuel-efficient as some hybrid cars by 2011 as part of its efforts to improve mileage without the aid of costly electric systems.

The Hiroshima, Japan-based automaker has set a target of raising its global car fleet's fuel economy by 30 percent by 2015, and plans to rely on advances in internal combustion engines, automatic transmissions and vehicle weight reduction to reach that goal.

As one pillar of that plan, Mazda is working on a clean diesel engine with a displacement of about 2.0 litres that would be as fuel-efficient as a 660cc gasoline microcar and a "mild" hybrid car, Mazda's head of research and development said.

"We believe that improving today's conventional engines at a low cost is the most effective way to get fuel-efficient cars to proliferate," r&d chief Seita Kanai told reporters in Tokyo.

Gasoline-electric hybrid cars are gaining popularity but still carry a premium over conventional gasoline and diesel cars.

Hybrid proponents such as Toyota Motor Corp. have argued that tighter emissions regulations in future would mean that cleaning the exhaust from diesel engines could cost as much as or more than gasoline-electric hybrid technology.

But Kanai said Mazda's new diesel engine would cost less, not more, partly due to its proprietary single-nanotechnology, which reduces the use of precious metals in emission-cleaning catalysts, and a new diesel particulate filter that negates the need for expensive after-treatment parts.

Mazda also plans to reduce the weight of new models in and after 2011 by more than 100 kg (220 lb), or about a tenth of an average car, and by another 10 percent or more after 2016. This would also be achieved at lower cost, Kanai said.

"The norm in the industry is to 'buy' weight reduction at a cost, but we won't do that," he said.

Kanai said Mazda would begin mounting electric devices such as an electric motor in a hybrid car during the second stage of mileage improvements between 2015 to 2020, when global emissions and mileage standards would likely require their use.

He declined to say whether Mazda would share its advanced that the partners would continue to work together on any project that reaped benefits on both sides.

[Leviathan]

Mazda could absorb some dealers left behind by GM, Chrysler

06/11/2009, 6:03 PM
By Drew Johnson

General Motors and Chrysler have cut more than 1,850 dealers from their national network, but some of those eliminated stores could find new life as Mazda dealerships. Many of the dealers eliminated by GM and Chrysler were in major metro areas, giving Mazda a crack as some prime real estate locations.

Mazda Executive Vice President Philip Spender revealed to Automotive News that the Japanese automaker has received significant interest from several eliminated dealers. “There has been considerable interest,” Spender said. “Dealers who have left someone else come to us, and then we go to a higher-quality point.”

Spender admitted Mazda wasn’t looking to add any more dealers, but said the opportunity to replace some underperforming or failed stores with new prime location dealers could be too good to pass up.

About half of Mazda’s U.S. dealerships are exclusive stores.

[airbalancer]

In Cobourg / Port Hope area , 2 GM dealers have lost their franchises both with new buildings
In the area there  is no Mazda, Subaru VW, or Hyundai.
I wonder if one of these companies will open in the area?

[johngenx]

I noticed that many rural areas have Honda and Toyota dealers, but no other "import" (for lack of a better word) franchises.

However, in southern B.C, I noticed that both Cranbrook and Castlegar have Subaru and Toyota dealerships.  So, I can move there...

[Thinking Out Loud]

Any news on the next generation Mazda 5?  I was thinking it would be due in 2011 (5 years since it's 2006 launch). 

Likely all the fanfare is being kept on the 3, but would appreciate anyone's insights!

Hi everyone - jus wondering if there is any news yet.....not even an artists rendering of what's next in 2010.....or 2011?

[Leviathan]

Any news on the next generation Mazda 5?  I was thinking it would be due in 2011 (5 years since it's 2006 launch). 

Likely all the fanfare is being kept on the 3, but would appreciate anyone's insights!

Hi everyone - jus wondering if there is any news yet.....not even an artists rendering of what's next in 2010.....or 2011?

A quick Google brought up Mazda readies new powertrains which says:

By 2015, Mazda will have given its gasoline engine lineup direct-injection spark ignition and idle-stop technology to improve fuel economy.
<snip>
Mazda5: This mini-minivan was on the U.S. hit list until gasoline reached $4 a gallon. Now it's a star. Look for a redesign for the 2011 model year.
<snip>

Given the tougher CAFE numbers one would think that Mazda would put a DI version of the 2.5L in the redesigned Mazda5 at this point.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Any news on the next generation Mazda 5?  I was thinking it would be due in 2011 (5 years since it's 2006 launch). 

Likely all the fanfare is being kept on the 3, but would appreciate anyone's insights!

Hi everyone - jus wondering if there is any news yet.....not even an artists rendering of what's next in 2010.....or 2011?

A quick Google brought up Mazda readies new powertrains which says:

By 2015, Mazda will have given its gasoline engine lineup direct-injection spark ignition and idle-stop technology to improve fuel economy.
<snip>
Mazda5: This mini-minivan was on the U.S. hit list until gasoline reached $4 a gallon. Now it's a star. Look for a redesign for the 2011 model year.
<snip>

Given the tougher CAFE numbers one would think that Mazda would put a DI version of the 2.5L in the redesigned Mazda5 at this point.

Thanks!  Was hoping for some 'artist renderings' - 2011 is only 12 months away from sales launch and was thinking there would be spy shots or something kicking around by now?      Even from JDM or euroland?

Best kept secret or least-interesting new product launch EVER?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Mazda studies diesels for U.S.
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
October 21, 2009 - 12:01 am ET

TOKYO -- Mazda Motor Corp. is studying diesel engines for the U.S. market, a top executive said Tuesday.

Test vehicles running diesels are being tested on U.S. soil, said Seita Kanai, head of Mazda's research and development effort. A minimum annual volume of 10,000 U.S. diesel sales would be needed for Mazda to make a profitable retail case.

"As an engineer, ideally I would want to introduce diesels, but I am not sure if it makes a business case,” Kanai said. He did not say which Mazda models are being tested.

Mazda also is studying the consumer response to Volkswagen AG's hard push into U.S. diesel sales. None of Mazda's existing diesels is mated to an automatic transmission, a configuration seen as necessary for the U.S. market.

[johngenx]

None of Mazda's existing diesels is mated to an automatic transmission, a configuration seen as necessary for the U.S. market.

Interesting.  Diesel engines make good torque across a wide range compared to their overall rev range, so I think that a modern auto-box would easily match well to a diesel engine.

But, please Mazda, forget a CVT unless it's actually good.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

But, please Mazda, forget a CVT unless it's actually good.

 

[Leviathan]

2011 Mazda MX-5 To Get SKY-G Engine

Published Dec 10, 2009

Expected to debut in 2011, the future MX-5 roadster is likely to be smaller than the current model, and should tip the scales at a lean 2,200 pounds.

Under the hood will be a SKY-G engine, the all-new power plant Mazda quietly introduced at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. This naturally-aspirated 1.3-liter gasoline-powered inline-4 is expected to deliver more than 50 mpg, with some saying it can get up to 70 mpg. And it isn't a hybrid setup or a diesel, but a gasoline-burning engine. This figure was calculated with the engine powering a compact car about the size of the Kiyora showcar (shown in Geneva and Tokyo).

A new SKY-G engine is being produced for the MX-5. It's not known whether the new roadster's power plant will use 1.3 or 1.5 liters of displacement. Expected to have a rating near 150 horsepower, the new engine would maintain the Miata's current power-to-weight ratio.

The secret to this astronomical fuel mileage hasn't yet been released, but IL has heard that Toyota has already inquired about the SKY-G.

[airbalancer]

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/10/03/0329_2.pdf

TMC and Mazda Agree to Hybrid System Technology License

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius.

Leveraging this agreement, Mazda plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY* engine that is currently under development, and develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan. Mazda is aiming to commence sales of a hybrid vehicle starting in Japan by 2013.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority, TMC began sales of the Prius, the world’s first mass-production hybrid vehicle, in 1997. Since then, over 2.3 million
TMC-produced hybrid vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 70 countries and regions.

TMC recognizes the importance of benefiting the environment by encouraging the popularization of its eco-friendly technologies, which are represented by its hybrid systems. Accordingly, TMC has announced that it will consider requests from other companies to supply hybrid technology.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda aims to increase the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015, compared to its 2008 level. In order to offer all of its customers driving pleasure as well as outstanding eco-friendly and safety performance, Mazda is implementing a Building Block Strategy. Under this strategy, Mazda will enhance the core aspects of its vehicles — including engines, transmissions and weight reduction — and then progressively add electric devices such as idling stop, regenerative braking and hybrid systems.

Through this partnership, each company intends to offer technologies and products with outstanding environmental benefits to as many people as possible.

[conwelpic]

Ford to sell remaining stake in Mazda

-  since 1979, when Ford purchased a 25 percent share of then outstanding shares.
- But as Ford aims to reduce its debt and strengthen its capital standing, the automaker was forced to reduce what had eventually become a 33.4 percent share in Mazda down to 13.8 percent in November of 2008
- by November of last year Mazda issued a public offering, which effectively dropped Ford's stake to an even less significant 11 percent stake.
- Ford is expected to reduce its stake to three percent, or less.
-Ford's shares in Mazda were valued at around $515 million by the end of May, according to Nikkei, which means the sale will likely free up around $410 million for Ford, possibly slightly more.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/end-of-an-era-ford-to-sell-remaining-stake-in-mazda.html

[JSCC]

Ford to sell remaining stake in Mazda

-  since 1979, when Ford purchased a 25 percent share of then outstanding shares.
- But as Ford aims to reduce its debt and strengthen its capital standing, the automaker was forced to reduce what had eventually become a 33.4 percent share in Mazda down to 13.8 percent in November of 2008
- by November of last year Mazda issued a public offering, which effectively dropped Ford's stake to an even less significant 11 percent stake.
- Ford is expected to reduce its stake to three percent, or less.
-Ford's shares in Mazda were valued at around $515 million by the end of May, according to Nikkei, which means the sale will likely free up around $410 million for Ford, possibly slightly more.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/end-of-an-era-ford-to-sell-remaining-stake-in-mazda.html

No more Tribute and B-series?

Got to do something with all that expensive Yen.
Did Ford buy low, and is now selling high?

[conwelpic]

http://www.autonews.com/article/20101018/BLOG06/101019870/-1