Category: Mazda

Once fuel had reach $4.05 a gallon nationally, we watched as truck sales plummeted and small/compact car sales got a little boost. People in the industry began to say that compact cars were going to appeal to more Americans and make up a larger percentage of vehicles sold here in the United States. The trick is said to be selling these small/compact cars for a profit. Up until recently the major domestic automakers had been able to make up to $12,600 profit on Large Luxury SUVs, but selling a small/compact car only raked in about $2,400 bucks. Once you subtract anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for fixed costs you could actually end up with a negative number. Which means that a solid business case to produce small/compact cars here in the U.S. is not always an easy case to make; other than to help offset CAFE. Although, Mazda seems to be able to make a [...]

Let’s get the big “a-ha” about the 2009 Mazda6 out of the way first: the Mazda6 has grown up to be a fully respectable member of society, but it has kept almost all of what made the original so appealing to keen drivers. It’s the automotive equivalent of Richard Branson, a man who has evolved to become one of the most admired business leaders in the world while retaining all of the hipness, style, and flamboyance of his youth.
The first generation Mazda6 was always admired by enthusiasts; it was lean, engaging, full of feedback, and just plain great fun to drive. It was a cut-price BMW 3-Series in terms of its drive character. Those qualities, however, made it far less appealing for its primary mission – to serve as a solid family sedan. Despite its entertainment value on the road, it was small and cramped inside, noisy, and felt somewhat like a beer [...]

A sports car with a timeless, traditional layout, the Mazda MX-5 Miata scored at the top of the Sports Car class in the 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards. With high ratings for cargo space, visibility, handling, power and acceleration and interior storage, the MX-5 Miata blew the competition away.

Next summer, Mazda introduces a new 6 for the U.S. market. At the Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows in fall 2007, we got our first look at the new style.

The CX-9 is a "large" Crossover SUV - not the size of the Tahoe-sized GM Lambda Crossover SUVs like the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, but still big enough to have a relatively comfortable 3rd row seat.

Using data from AutoPacific's national Vehicle Satisfaction research and the IntelliChoice Best Overall Value information, AutoPacific and IntelliChoice have developed the Motorist Choice Award - a unique tool that can be used by consumers to help them sort through the myriad of choices in today's automotive marketplace.

AutoPacific take on Mazda3 win – With a combination of great breaking, handling, and ride Mazda has found a sweet spot in the Compact Car segment. Winning the Compact Car category in the 2007 Motorist Choice Awards® the Mazda3 provides owners with a great value in an easy to live with package.
IntelliChoice take on Mazda3 win – The Mazda3 does not lead the class in any one area, but has solid retained value, and performs above average in both fuel and maintenance costs.

New Mazda Tribute an excellent high value smaller mid-size Crossover SUV

Playboy Magazine names their 2007 Cars of the Year

It's going to be quite a year. The auto industry is undergoing a lot of change and the explosion of Crossover and SUV performance vehicles is on the rise. Diesel power may take a front seat and I am stoked about the some of the wonderful things coming from BMW, Mazda, Porsche, Mini, Ford, and even our friends at GM. Muscle Power will be back in a big way in 2007 and I intend to visit the gym with some of these new models.