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Mazda - Does it have a good future in US?

1989 messages,  Last post on Nov 09, 2012 at 7:46 AM

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#1950 of 1989 picture gallery of Mazdas by benjaminh

Jul 28, 2011 (7:54 pm)

going back to World War II:
 
http://www.mazda.com/90th/#/gallery

#1951 of 1989 Mazda is losing money by benjaminh

Jul 29, 2011 (10:13 am)

Mazda Reports Quake And Strong Yen Widened Loss
By AutoObserver Staff July 29, 2011
 
Mazda reported a $329 million loss (25.5 billion yen) in the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year ending June 30. The Japanese automaker reported that the March 11 earthquake and continued currency declines against the Japanese yen helped contribute to the loss. Currency rates alone contributed $40 million (3.1 billion yen) to the loss. Mazda lost a total of $27 million (2.1 billion yen) in the same period last year. Sales fell 29 percent in the quarter to $5.26 billion (408 billion yen), with global sales down 11 percent, and Japanese domestic sales off 32 percent. Mazda stated its recovery from the quake is progressing, with domestic plant utilization at 72 percent, with a return to full production capability by the first quarter of 2012.

#1952 of 1989 Re: Mazda is losing money [benjaminh] by steve_ HOST

Nov 02, 2011 (7:07 am)

Replying to: benjaminh (Jul 29, 2011 10:13 am)
They still haven't turned it around.
 
Mazda Posts $51-Million Loss In Second Half (AutoObserver)

#1953 of 1989 skyactiv by benjaminh

Nov 03, 2011 (3:48 pm)

is their best bet to turn it around. Hope it happens!

#1954 of 1989 Re: skyactiv [benjaminh] by bpizzuti

Nov 05, 2011 (10:57 am)

Replying to: benjaminh (Nov 03, 2011 3:48 pm)
Mazda is ahead of Honda and Toyota in the MPG race: they're putting out 40 MPG cars just like the Koreans and us Americans. The rest of Japan seems to be having a little trouble hitting that mark.
 
Beyond that, though, Mazda has no interest in Toyota's market, they want the enthusiast driver that would have maybe bought an Impreza before they dumbed it down, and would now shop Ford, Mistubishi, and Kia (as the slightly more sporty of the Koreans).

#1955 of 1989 new Mazda3 rated #1 by Popular Mechanics by benjaminh

Nov 05, 2011 (2:01 pm)

So what exactly is Skyactiv? Mazda will tell you that it’s an all-encompassing approach to eking out efficiencies in the engines, transmissions, and chassis. The centerpiece is the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G (gas) engine and the transmissions that pair to it. The engine uses very high compression (12:1), smaller bore pistons designed to combat heat loss, and high fuel-injection pressure (2900 psi) sprayed directly into the combustion chamber to help achieve a more efficient combustion process. Engineers also looked at mechanical losses within the engine and made incredible improvements, including 74 percent less drag from the oil pump; 25 percent less drag from the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft; and 54 percent less valvetrain friction. The Skyactiv 2.0-liter also uses the Miller Cycle, which leaves the intake valve open longer during light-load cruising, providing an efficiency boost of 13 percent. Mazda says this new engine has similar efficiency to that of their current 2.2-liter diesel engine. Impressive. Plus, the engine is 10 percent lighter than the base 2.0-liter.
 
Paired with the Skyactiv 2.0-liter is either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic—both of which have been redesigned for this new engine.
 
All 2012 Mazda3s get freshened with new sheet metal as well as an improved chassis. Weight has been reduced, thanks to new bonding methods and more high-strength steel, which also made the car more rigid. Mazda redesigned the rear suspension mounts, trailing arm position, and steering components as well. The goal? A tighter connection with the driver. As an added benefit, Mazda says the new car produces measurably less road noise than its predecessor too......
 
7 of 7
The Bottom Line: The Mazda3 lineup stretches from just $15,995 for a base car with the old 2.0-liter engine on up to $24,495 for a well-optioned 2.5-liter GT model. The Skyactiv 2.0-liter models start at just over $20,000—right in the middle. When you consider the efficiency, the driving enjoyment, and level of equipment available, a Skyactiv Mazda3 moves to the top of our compact-car shopping list.
 
Read more: 2012 Mazda3 2.0-liter Skyactiv Test Drive - News Cars 2012 - Popular Mechanics
 
Read more: 2012 Mazda3 2.0-liter Skyactiv Test Drive - News Cars 2012 - Popular Mechanics

#1956 of 1989 Re: new Mazda3 rated #1 by Popular Mechanics [benjaminh] by bpizzuti

Nov 05, 2011 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: benjaminh (Nov 05, 2011 2:01 pm)
I'm waiting for GM or someone to sue them saying it doesn't count as a car because it uses the Miller cycle or something.

#1957 of 1989 patents? by benjaminh

Nov 05, 2011 (4:29 pm)

I wonder how many patents Mazda has on this Skyactiv tech. I mean, can other car makers copy or do similar stuff, or is there really some kind of competitive advantage here. It is interesting that Mazda with the Skyactiv gets better mpg than a newly redesigned 2012 Civic with a smaller engine. I guess for now that's something of an advantage. And given that all except the Si Civics have squishy suspensions and unimpressive steering, that seems an advantage too.
 
But I do feel that Honda's US factories are a big advantage. There's a huge Honda plant just a hundred or so miles from me in Indiana turning out Civics....
 
Having cars come from Japan and Mexico just isn't quite the same imho. It seems that the huge successes in the last 4 years of Kia and Hyundai also shows how good publicity from a successful US plant can boost sales in a big way.
 
If only Mazda had built their own stand alone plant back in the early 80s I think they'd be in a different place today in this market....

#1958 of 1989 Mazda will be Honda for MPG by benjaminh

Nov 13, 2011 (6:26 am)

Honda has gotten its rating for its new CRV, which is the competing vehicle for the new Mazda CX-5, which will be introduced in about 6 months as a 2013 model.
 
The new 2012 Honda CRV gets these stats for mpg:
2WD 2012 CR-V 23 MPG City & 31 MPG Highway
4WD 2012 CR-V 22 MPG City & 30 MPG Highway
 
My guess is that the 2013 Mazda CX-5 is going to look something like this:
2WD 25 city and 35 hwy
4WD 23 city and 33 hway
 
I think that will be good for some sales for Mazda....

#1959 of 1989 Re: Mazda will be Honda for MPG [benjaminh] by bpizzuti

Nov 13, 2011 (6:38 am)

Replying to: benjaminh (Nov 13, 2011 6:26 am)
Well, the Civic is already losing the MPG race to SkyActiv. The Civic gets 28/39 out of a 140 HP engine. Mazda is getting 28/40 out of a 155 HP engine. That plus what they've done to redesign it (and I'm thinking they cut a lot of weight to get it up to 28/39) really shows that they've abandoned the enthusiast and are trying to be GM. Except Toyota and GM are also trying to be GM.
 
Luckily Mazda is on record as having no interest in being GM.

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