‘Tis Official: Mazda to Stop Building the North American Mazda6 in the USA, Successor will Come from Japan

For better or for worse, depending on which side of the line you are standing on, Mazda has confirmed rumors that it will stop building the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International (AAI) plant in Michigan, which it runs jointly with Ford, after the mid-size sedan's current cycle ends.

The company said the Mazda6's replacement for the North American market will be produced at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, adding that the decision was driven by the firm’s “ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies”.

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Report: Mazda to Cut Ties with Ford and Stop U.S. Production by 2013

Earlier in May, we told you about a report concerning Mazda’s plans to discontinue production of its Mazda6 mid-size model at its joint-venture plant with Ford in Michigan. Today, new reports from both Japan and the U.S. are claiming that Mazda Motors will dissolve its 50-50 joint venture with Ford and stop building cars in the USA by 2013, with the Japanese company already in talks with the Detroit automaker to sell its stake in their car production venture Auto Alliance International [AAI]. Read more »

Mazda Hikes Mazda5 and Mazda6 Prices in the UK by 2%

Citing the continued weakening of the British Pound against the Euro and rising costs in materials, Mazda UK announced that prices of its Mazda6 and Mazda5 range will be going up by 2 percent in April. This move will raise the prices of Mazda6 cars by an average of £345 and Mazda5 vehicles by £323 starting from April 1st - no, this ain't an April Fool's Day joke...

"Recent rises in some raw materials costs and fluctuations in the Yen/Pound exchange rate mean that we have to increase prices on the Mazda5 and Mazda6 range from 1 April," commented Mark Cameron, Sales & Marketing Director Mazda UK. "We are keeping these rises to just 2 percent, which is much less than the increases introduced by many other brands," he added.

EuroNCAP's Revised Safety Ratings for Six New Cars Including Mazda6, Avensis and Impreza

The European organization for the assessment of vehicle safety has published the first results under its updated rating system. Up until now, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle, but with the new system there's an overall rating for every car covering Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist which takes into account systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders.

Of the six cars tested under the new ratings system, four managed to achieve Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars: the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. Citroen's C3 Picasso minivan and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.

According to Euro NCAP, with the exception of the Subaru Impreza, all the other cars failed to impress on pedestrian protection.

After the announcement of the results, Mitsubishi and Subaru both said that they would change their ESC (electronic stability control) fitment policies for the Lancer and Impreza, as variants of these models without optional ESC were offered in some Euroepan countries.

Euro NCAP's new rating scheme requires all safety equipment, including ESC, to be standard on 85% of volume sales and at least optionally available on every variant.

New 2009 Mazda6 Receives its first Recall

Approximately 29,000 MY2009 Mazda6 cars are being recalled in the States due to a problem with the outer door handles that may not latch correctly allowing the door to open while the vehicle is in motion. In an official announcement, Mazda said that its U.S. dealers will inspect the 6's door handles and if necessary, repair or replace the handles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of February. Concerned owners may contact Mazda for more information directly at 1-800-222-5500.

New Mazda6 and Mazda2 Tamura Special Edition Models

Mazda's UK division is celebrating the New Year -or so they say- with the introduction of three new 'Tamura' Special Edition models based on its Mazda2 three- and five-door and, Mazda6 hatchback cars. All models come equipped with a sport styling exterior and interior package as well as additional standard features and unique color offerings.

Starting with the Mazda6 5dr Tamura, it is offered exclusively with a 147HP 2.0-liter petrol engine that helps it accelerate from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 10.2 seconds. Available in two unique mica colors – Sparkling Black and Velocity Red – plus Galaxy Grey mica and Sunlight Silver metallic, the Mazda6 Tamura stands out thanks to the addition of a Sports Styling Pack. It includes front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler, plus privacy glass, clear rear light bezels, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and special 'Tamura' badging. Inside, there's alloy pedals and Tamura branded floor mats.

Standard equipment on the Mazda6 Tamura includes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags, remote central locking, Karakuri 60/40 split folding rear seats, a radio/single CD audio system with 6 speakers and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players, electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer with speed alarm, dual-zone climate control airconditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, a rear seat centre armrest and CF-Net steering wheels controls, plus a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

The Mazda6 2.0 5dr Tamura is priced at £16,695, or £306 more than the equivalent TS model.

Available with a choice of three-door or five-door hatchback body styles and a 1.3-litre, 86HP petrol engine, the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura is based on the regular TS2 model. Like the Mazda6, it too benefits from the addition of a Sports Styling Pack that includes front and rear sports bumpers, a two-piece sports grille, side skirts, rear spoiler, unique 16-inch dark grey alloy wheels, special 'Tamura' badging and free metallic/mica or pearlescent paint.

For the exterior there is a choice of four colors – unique Aluminium Metallic or Radiant Ebony Mica, plus either Aurora Blue Mica (for the 5dr model) or Crystal White Pearlescent. Inside, branded Tamura floor mats are fitted.

Standard equipment includes body coloured electric folding door mirrors, manual air-conditioning, silver bezels on the steering wheel, electric front windows, driver seat height adjustment, CD radio with auxiliary input jack and four speakers, multifunction glovebox with magazine rack, 60/40 split rear seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, as well as a leather steering wheel and gear knob. Safety and security equipment includes ABS with Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, driver and passenger front airbags, side and curtain airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks plus Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

Prices for the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura start at £10,275 for the 3d and at £10,775 for the 5dr -£397 more than the equivalent TS2 models.

2009 Tokyo Auto Salon: Mazda6 Circuit Trial Version

Even though most of the automotive world will be turning its attention this weekend towards Detroit and the 2009 North American International Auto Show, in Japan, automakers are readying their tuning proposals for the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon that runs from January 9 to 11. Mazda will be presenting several cars at the show, including Mazdaspeed modified, track-ready versions of the new Axela, RX-8, Demio (Mazda2) and Atenza (Mazda6) called 'Circuit Trial'. In this post we've included the first photos of the Mazda6 Circuit Trial.

Like the other Circuit Trial models, the Mazda6 has been modified to offer higher levels of performance without sacrificing the comforts you'd expect from an everyday car. Mazdaspeed's upgrades include an M'z Custom bodykit with front, rear and side lip spoilers, race-inspired decals, a rear wing, Recaro bucket seats, sport interior trim and, larger diameter and grippier tires with dark alloy wheels made by Yokohama. The Circuit Trial Mazda6 also benefits from a lowered, sports tuned suspension and more powerful brakes.

Pics via: Carview