Mazda confirmed today at a dealers meeting in Palm Springs that it will bring its subcompact Mazda 2 hatchback to the United States in late 2010. That's only a couple months behind the Ford Fiesta, with which the 2011 Mazda 2 shares its basic platform architecture.
We'll get a look at the U.S.-spec Mazda 2 in early December when it debuts at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show. Mazda says it will get more specific about on-sale timing, pricing, specs and equipment at the show.
We don't yet know whether we will get the five-door Mazda 2 unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, the three-door version unveiled last year, or both. Either way, we'll be getting a car that has won numerous awards in Europe and Japan. Lightweight construction is often cited as the key advantage of the Mazda 2 over other subcompacts. Company engineers put considerable emphasis on cutting weight (without compromising safety) to improve fuel efficiency and performance.
"You've asked us for it for a while now, and we've been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America," Jim O'Sullivan, Mazda North American Operations' president and CEO, told the assembled dealers. "As consumers' tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the Mazda 3."
thejohnp says:
01:20 PM, 09/17/09
Can't wait to see the comparison test between this and the Fiesta. Heck, throw in the other subcompacts in while you're at it.
bbechtel16 says:
01:36 PM, 09/17/09
Awesome!
fuhteng says:
02:04 PM, 09/17/09
It can't get here soon enough.
felonious says:
02:31 PM, 09/17/09
This is exciting news! Although, does Ford still own a part of Mazda? If so, I'm surprised at this move.
windsor5 says:
03:28 PM, 09/17/09
@thejohnp
This is going to share the same architecture as the fiesta so in essence they are the same cars + or - brand specific amenities so really not much to compare here
@ felonious
Yes ford still owns a substantial amount of mazda but this is not suprising since the
mazda 3 = focus
mazda 6 = fusion
mazda tribute = escape
mazda 5 = the euro ford c-max
they are just tuned slightly differently and have different interior amenities and different trim levels.
rallyandbosox says:
03:45 PM, 09/17/09
windsor and felonious,
Ford sold 20% ($540mil) of its shares in Mazda last November but still owns 13% of the company.
windsor5 says:
05:29 PM, 09/17/09
I forgot about that last sell off of shares but I am still pretty sure they have a partnership to share technology between the two companies. Considering the amount of vehicles they still produce together. maybee i could be wrong on that Ill definetly have to look into that though it is curious
stovt001 says:
05:43 PM, 09/17/09
I'm interested. The interior doesn't do much for me, but the rest looks good.
rx9 says:
08:16 PM, 09/17/09
Ford only owns 13% of Mazda now..
Mazda designs ALL the platforms for FORDS small cars..as above, not the other way around..
ATM Ford supplies Mazda with the V6 engine with Mazda re-doing the cylinder head slightly for the CX-9, and as we know the 4 cylinder engines used by Mazda are reworked Duratec's.
From 2011 Mazda will be replacing all their 4 cylinders with their own design and will be smaller capacity 4's with turbo's.
The first you will see is the ALL new 2012 Mazda MX-5.., then the 6, then the RX-8, then Mazda 2 and last Mazda 3.
There is also talk of a micro Mazda 1....look out for this in Tokyo MS this October..maybe,,
thedream21479 says:
10:35 PM, 09/17/09
I drove this car in Moscow as a rental...it was very very well put together and a lot of fun to drive for a small car. Cool looking too.
efinils2 says:
12:34 AM, 09/18/09
About time! I live in Japan, and this car is great handling, plus it doesn't look all awkward like the aveo and versa (Tiida in the home market)...though the Fit beats it in cargo space, I think the trade-off is worth it.
cx7lover says:
12:43 AM, 09/18/09
No... Mazda makes the 4 cyls, not Ford. They're not Duratec's they are MZR's.
fast_cars says:
12:55 AM, 09/18/09
It looks really nice. It's being pushed through commercials every 15 minutes in London television. I've seen them in London and I wished it would be brought to the US. And I guess my prayers were answered! Yehey!
rx9 says:
03:22 AM, 09/18/09
YES...The Mazda MZR Engine is a Duratec Ford Engineered and Design Engine, reworked and Made by Mazda in Japan and Called an MZR.
CX-7Lover, have a look at your 2.3 4 Turbo, look under the oil Filler Cap it says FoMoCo, Ford Motor Company, have a look at your Dip Stick, FoMoCo.ALL Mazda's 1.5-2.5 Litre 4 engine are Ford Designed..BUT they are re-engineered and made to Mazda Standard. Some engines are Made in China at Ford/Mazda's AutoAlliance Factory.
BTW: The Mazda 2 for the North American market may be also sourced from the newly opened AutoAlliance Body plant in China where the Mazda 2 and soon Ford Fiesta is made. Australian, British and Japanese Mazda 2's (Demio) are made in Japan, Hiroshima Ujina Plant, like your CX-7.
Anything else you would like to know about Mazda?
rx9 says:
03:31 AM, 09/18/09
Apologies....Make that The AutoAlliance plant in Thailand, not China where the new Mazda 2 and Fiesta will be made.
Ford is transferring new Fiesta production from Europe to the new A A Thailand plant also.
There is a Mazda Plant in China which actually makes a Mazda 2 4 door Sedan for local market.
rx9 says:
03:32 AM, 09/18/09
Apologies....Make that The AutoAlliance plant in Thailand, not China where the new Mazda 2 and Fiesta will be made.
Ford is transferring new Fiesta production from Europe to the new A A Thailand plant also.
There is a Mazda Plant in China which actually makes a Mazda 2 4 door Sedan for local market.
rx9 says:
03:32 AM, 09/18/09
Apologies....Make that The AutoAlliance plant in Thailand, not China where the new Mazda 2 and Fiesta will be made.
Ford is transferring new Fiesta production from Europe to the new A A Thailand plant also.
There is a Mazda Plant in China which actually makes a Mazda 2 4 door Sedan for local market.
iskch says:
07:56 AM, 09/18/09
It took US Mazda a while to realize the need for a smaller car. Welcome number 2.
Knowing Mazda reputation as the Japanese BMW will see if they decide to create a MazdaSpeed 2
A few questions to RX-9 since it looks like you know some more inside info than us:
- MSP6 Future? Dead or alive.
- RX-8 or RX-7? Which one.
- Future of a new 20B (3 rotor)on the RX models?
thejohnp says:
09:00 AM, 09/18/09
@windsor5 it didn't stop IL from comparing the Fusion to the new Mazda6 in a recent midsize sedan face off. I know they're similar and based on the same platform, it's the comparison of the differences that I'm interested in finding out.
mrbacon says:
09:32 AM, 09/18/09
Will there be a 3-door?
compliance says:
09:48 AM, 09/18/09
Please don't build them in Mexico, please give us the 3 door, please make a Mazdaspeed version.
Come on Mazda, show Ford how it's done!
rx9 says:
05:21 PM, 09/18/09
- MSP6 Future? Dead or alive.
- RX-8 or RX-7? Which one.
- Future of a new 20B (3 rotor)on the RX models?
-Dead
-Not sure on what name, could be RX-9, will be an FF model..IF we see it.
-No 3 Rotor, 16X 1.6 is the next rotary.
rx9 says:
05:25 PM, 09/18/09
From what I hear you will initially get the 4 door plus hatch Mazda 2, if sales go well you may see the 2 door + version, all will have 1.5 litre engines.
peartree1 says:
12:30 PM, 12/ 2/09
@RX9,
I thought it was the other way around. I thought Mazda did the engines (the newer 4 cylinder, and I mean R&D/design, not manufacture) and Ford did the platforms (for the Fiesta/2 and the Focus/3). I know it's the case with the Focus/3 because the C1 chassis is just a re-work of the original C170 chassis, designed in Europe. And I thought I read the same thing about the Fiesta and the 2.
Okay, after looking it up, it seems the Fiesta/2 is based on the Mazda DY chassis. But the Focus/3 was designed in Germany by thirty engineers each from Ford, Mazda, and Volvo. Which leads me to believe it's all moot... It's a global effort every way, it seems.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2003303250702