HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that orders for the new Mazda Biante minivan were more than double the sales target in its first month of sales. Orders have surpassed 6,000 units since the Biante was launched in Japan on July 8, 2008.

Mazda Biante 20S (FWD model with 2.0-liter direct injection engine, five-speed automatic transmission and factory-installed options) To date, 90 percent of orders have been for models equipped with the 2.0-liter direct injection engine. Approximately 65 percent of customers have opted for the 20S grade, followed by 26 percent who chose the 20CS grade and 9 percent who selected the 23S. While most customers who selected the Biante have families and are in their 30s and 40s, orders have been placed by a wide range of people. Customer feedback indicates that the main reasons for choosing the Biante are its exterior design, spacious interior^*1 and quiet cabin. The flexible seat arrangements that include a ‘living mode’ (which enables the seats to be adjusted backwards to maximize interior space), the excellent dynamic stability, and the Biante’s affordability (due to regular gasoline being the recommended fuel^*2) were also highlighted. The most popular exterior colors have been the featured Lilac Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black and Crystal White Pearl Mica, which together make up 70 percent of orders. The most preferred factory-installed options have been the power sliding doors with leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, selected by 90 percent of customers; the Clean Air package^*3, chosen by 70 percent of customers; and the Comfort package^*4, chosen by 60 percent of customers. Source: Mazda Motor Corporation If you are looking for Japanese used vehicles exporters, please visit : http://www.japanautopages.com/business_type/exporter.php Technorati tags: Mazda Biante Minivan, Injection Engines

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its financial results for the first quarter (April to June) of fiscal year (FY) 2008. Mazda’s first quarter global retail volume increased 11 percent year-on-year to reach 358,000 units. This is attributable to strong sales of the Mazda2 (known in Japan as the Mazda Demio), Mazda3 (Mazda Axela) and Mazda6 (Mazda Atenza). Consolidated sales revenue was 771.8 billion yen, down 5 percent year-on-year. Excluding the impact of accounting standard changes, revenue would have improved 5 percent. Consolidated operating profit decreased 12 percent to 28.3 billion yen as a result of raw material price hikes, a weaker US dollar, and other factors. Consolidated ordinary profit increased by 8 percent year-on-year to 22.9 billion yen, primarily reflecting the result of forward exchange contracts and equity method profits. Consolidated net income was 15.0 billion yen. Excluding the impact of taxation accounting changes, net income recorded a 43 percent increase.

On a geographic basis, retail sales volumes increased year-on-year in every major market except Japan. Sales in North America were up year-on-year to 109,000 units. This reflects a 3 percent increase in U.S. sales, due to the change in market conditions, which helped maintain brisk sales of the Mazda3, and continued strong sales in Mexico. Retail sales in Europe rose 20 percent to 93,000 units, due to a strong contribution from the all-new Mazda2 three-door hatchback and diesel engine models, as well as the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda3.

In China, the introduction of the all-new Mazda2, as well as the Mazda3 five-door hatchback and Mazda5, helped increase sales to 33,000 units, more than double the prior year. In other markets, volumes grew 9 percent to 69,000 units, led by higher sales of the all-new Mazda2 and Mazda CX-9.

Mazda’s sales in Japan decreased 4 percent to 54,000 units as a result of the decline in sales of existing models, which offset the new model effect of the all-new Mazda Demio (Mazda2) and all-new Mazda Atenza (Mazda6). However, the new Mazda Biante, which launched in July 2008, received 3,000 advance orders and is expected to build sales momentum. Mazda’s Representative Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CFO, David E. Friedman, said, “Mazda has achieved growing global sales in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 despite difficult business conditions. The ever-popular Mazda3, as well as the all-new Mazda2 and all-new Mazda6, are finding homes with an increasing number of customers, driving our growth, particularly in Europe and China. While we aim to maintain steady product-led growth, due to the uncertainty in exchange rates, raw material prices, and changing market conditions, our projections for the full 2008 fiscal year remain unchanged.”

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

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Mazda Motor Corporation announced that a Job One ceremony was held at AutoAlliance International Inc. in Flat Rock, Michigan to celebrate the first United States production of the North American all-new Mazda6.

The all-new Mazda6 inherits and further evolves the sporty styling and superb driving performance of the first generation Mazda6. The North American model features a larger body and greater engine displacement to meet the particular demands of the North American market with handling and comfort being optimized for North American road conditions. Two spirited engines will be available: the newly developed 2.5-liter direct injection I-4 that drives the European and Japanese versions of the all-new Mazda6 and –for extra performance– the 3.7-liter V6 that powers the Mazda CX-9, the 2008 North American Truck of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony, AutoAlliance International’s president and CEO, Gary A. Roe said, “The North American all-new Mazda6 has a special significance for us because it was developed exclusively to meet the needs of the North American market and is being built right here at AAI. Our dedication to build quality cars will ensure the Mazda6 succeeds amid a very challenging sales environment.”

James J. O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations added, “The midsize sedan segment is crowded with many of the best vehicles from Asia, Europe, and the US. Even under these circumstances, we are confident the North American all-new Mazda6 will be highly competitive.”

Mazda’s president and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, remarked, “It is an honor to be here at AutoAlliance International to celebrate the North American all-new Mazda6 production kickoff. AutoAlliance International symbolizes the strong cooperative relationship that has benefited both Mazda and Ford for many years. Going forward, we will continue to provide our customers with the highest quality products in order to further strengthen Mazda’s presence in North America. This will bring us closer to achieving the targets of our mid-term Mazda Advancement Plan.”

Also attending the ceremony was Garry L. Sommerville, chairman of the UAW Local 3000, and approximately 900 AutoAlliance International employees.

Mazda began vehicle production in North America at Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Corporation in 1987. The MMUC plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, became a joint venture between the Mazda Motor Corporation and the Ford Motor Company in 1992, when the name was changed to AutoAlliance International, Inc. Previous Mazda models produced at the facility include the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The first generation Mazda6 commenced production at AAI in 2002.

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

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HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it will hold a summer event comprising two special exhibitions, ‘Hydrogen Rotary Engine Vehicles’ and ‘Nagare Concept Cars,’ at the Mazda Museum located within Mazda’s global headquarters facility in Hiroshima, Japan. The special exhibitions will run concurrently from July 26 to August 29, 2008.

The ‘Hydrogen Rotary Engine Vehicles’ exhibition will promote the merits of Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine that is being developed under the company’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. The engine is powered by hydrogen, which Mazda expects will replace oil products as the dominant fuel in the future. The exhibition is intended to provide visitors with a deeper insight into Mazda’s efforts to bring the technology to market.

The exhibition will feature the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE that became the world’s first commercially available hydrogen rotary vehicle in February 2006. Eight RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles have been delivered to date and 30 more will be supplied to Norway’s national HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) project from summer 2008. Alongside it will be the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, which gained approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) to begin testing on public roads in June 2008, and is scheduled to start commercial leasing by March 2009. Other vehicles on display will be the Mazda HR-X, the first ever hydrogen rotary engine vehicle that debuted at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, and the Mazda HR-X2, which was built in 1993.

The ‘Nagare Concept Cars’ exhibition will be held concurrently in the entrance hall of the Mazda Museum. It will feature the four concept cars of the Nagare series – Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze and Taiki – that were displayed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

The Nagare (Japanese for ‘flow’) design series has resulted from Mazda’s efforts to express a clear visual brand identity and further evolve its sporty and athletic car design using nature as its inspiration. Nagare design denotes one possible direction for the next generation of Mazda design.

Mazda announced its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan in March 2007. It describes the technologies Mazda is developing in response to the issues facing the automotive industry and the drive for design that will captivate customers. One of the targets of the plan is to improve the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold worldwide 30 percent by 2015. Through the special summer events at the Mazda Museum, the company will present its approach to car building that aims to harmonize driving pleasure with environmental and safety performance.

The Mazda Museum is the only automotive industry museum in the Chugoku and Shikoku region of Japan and welcomes an average of 70,000 visitors per year. Permanent attractions include a technical exhibition of the rotary engine, which is mass produced by no other company in the world, and many of the famous cars that have spurred Mazda’s growth. Visitors can also enjoy an up-close look at a working assembly line in an adjoining plant. As a popular destination for elementary and junior high school social studies fieldtrips, as well as the general public, the museum makes a valuable social contribution to the community.

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

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HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda will unveil a sporty, compact crossover concept vehicle, Mazda Kazamai, at the Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS) on August 26. Kazamai, which means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese, expresses the powerful yet nimble image of a stylish and compact crossover. The concept is based on Mazda’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which aims to provide a unique balance between sporty driving fun and superior environmental and safety performance. Kazamai will be joined at MIAS by the Russian debut of Mazda’s CX-9 SUV, which was crowned 2008 North American Truck of the Year in February.

Mazda Kazamai

The Kazamai concept further evolves Mazda’s ‘Nagare’ design language by fusing Nagare’s ‘flow’ design cues with aerodynamic proportions. The design features panel lines inspired by crosswinds in nature which evoke visual lightness. Its bold five-point grille, accentuated front wheel arches and sleek roof line, combined with large 22-inch wheels, lend it high emotional appeal.

Sporty to look at, Kazamai is meant to be spirited and fun to drive, with compact dimensions. Kazamai’s four-wheel drive powertrain will consist of a next-generation direct injection engine and a newly developed transmission. It is also aerodynamic, with an evolved lightweight body structure and enhanced the vehicle safety attributes. Were it to be built, Mazda’s latest show car would deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.

The Mazda Kazamai promises to be another ground-breaking show car from Mazda Design, winner of this year’s Grand Prix du Design in Paris. Created especially for the Moscow International Automobile Salon, it gives a good indication of where Mazda is going with a possible future compact crossover. And in Russia’s growing automotive market, compact SUVs are the second-largest segment, representing about 13 percent of all new car sales.

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

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