Wednesday, September 17, 2014

CELEBRATING THE 10 MILLIONTH MAZDA SOLD IN AMERICA

In 1970, Mazda sold its first vehicle in the U.S., a rotary-powered R-100 coupe. It was the start of a journey that has seen the automaker from Hiroshima design and build some of the most-loved sports cars, sedans and SUVs in America.
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In October, Mazda reached another amazing milestone when Lauren Carter, a 26-year-old guitar instructor from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, bought her very first new car—a 2013 Mazda3. It was the 10 millionth Mazda sold in the U.S.

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In October, Mazda reached another amazing milestone when Lauren Carter, a 26-year-old guitar instructor from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, bought her very first new car—a 2013 Mazda3. It was the 10 millionth Mazda sold in the U.S.

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The hand-over event took place on October 22, at Mazda of Naperville, Illinois, where Lauren first bought the 10 millionth Mazda. With her family and friends there to help her celebrate, Lauren met Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North America, to pick out her new car. After a few moments deciding which color she wanted (she chose Soul Red Metallic), Lauren and Jim swapped keys.

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“I chose a Mazda because I did the research and learned that Mazda has some of the most reliable, feature-packed cars on the market,” Lauren said. “The Mazda3 is fun to drive, and I can fit my guitar and amplifier in the trunk. For me, there’s nothing better!”
While Lauren enjoys her new 2014 Mazda3, the 10 millionth Mazda is currently on its way to Irvine, California. There it will take its place among several other historic Mazda vehicles in the heritage collection, including one of the first MX-5 Miatas ever built, a 1967 Cosmo Sport 110s, and several Mazda race cars.
Check out the video and photos to see Lauren’s story, and how the connectivity and versatility of her new 2014 Mazda3 is a great fit with her job, her music, and her very large German shepherd, Briscoe.






Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Will Mazda sell diesel hybrids in Japan in 2016?

Posted Aug 14th 2014 8:45AM
 
Could the "Zoom Zoom" automaker start making hybrids that go "glug glug glug"? Mazda, known for its fuel-efficient Skyactiv engine line, will be the first Japanese automaker to make a diesel-hybrid vehicle for Japan and Europe.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Mazda may start making its oil-burning hybrids as soon as 2016, and the powertrain may reach fuel efficiency levels of as much as 95 miles per gallon (one the more lenient Japanese driving cycle). That'd make such a vehicle line about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than standard diesels and about eight percent more fuel efficient that the Toyota Prius C compact hybrid (known as the Aqua in Japan). Mazda has been dismissive of hybrid and electric powertrains, instead focusing on Skyactiv technology to maximize fuel efficiency from conventional gas-powered engines.

Diesel powertrains account for about half of the light-duty vehicles sold in Europe each year, while Japan's diesel sales of 76,000 vehicles last year were about three times as many as were sold there in 2012.

In January, Mazda said that it would delay the introduction of its Skyactiv-D diesel engine from what was to be a spring 2014 debut. The reason was to fine-tune the engine's performance/fuel economy balance. Mazda representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from AutoblogGreen about the diesel hybrids.
News Source: Yomiuri Shimbun
Image Credit: 2014 AOL
Category: Diesel, Mazda, Europe/EU, Japan
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