Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, China, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows
Mazda2 sedan unveiled in China
click above image for more high-res pics of the Mazda2 sedan
This week at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show in China, Mazda will be unveiling the four-door Mazda2 sedan alongside the rest of its Chinese lineup that includes the Mazda3 and Mazda5. China is the first market in the world to see the four-door sedan version of the Mazda2, which originally debuted in Europe as a three-door hatch. According to the press-release from Mazda, the Mazda2 sedan will be produced in China by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant. It's unclear, however, when or even if the Mazda2 sedan will be exported for sale in other markets besides China. It could also be that production of the Mazda2 sedan will occur outside of China at the same facilities where the three-door hatch is produced. Mazda also is introducing a five-door hatchback version of the Mazda2 in China. If any of you find yourselves at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show this week, takes some pics and let us know. [Source: Mazda]
Gallery: 2008 Mazda2 Sedan
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda to Showcase All-New Mazda2 Sedan World Premiere at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show
- Mazda completes the consolidation of its China business foundation in terms of production, sales and products -
HIROSHIMA, Japan, November 19, 2007-Mazda Motor Corporation today revealed the all-new Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) sedan at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show.
This version of Mazda's latest model has a dynamic and elegant form that was designed to capture new customers in the rapidly growing Chinese B-car segment. The all-new Mazda2 sedan is produced by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant, and will go on sale in the first half of 2008 through the Changan Mazda Motor Sales Company's network.
Noriaki Yamada, President and COO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd. said, "By introducing the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback to the B-car segment in China, we will have completed our product launches in the B, C and CD segments, which represent the three major Chinese vehicle classes. The new models will greatly strengthen Mazda's product lineup in China."
All-new Mazda2 Sedan
Mazda's Senior Managing Executive Officer, Kiyoshi Ozaki, spoke about Mazda's global growth and China business at the press conference. "In fiscal year 2007, we expect to achieve our seventh consecutive year of profit growth and fourth straight year of record profit. Going forward, we will aspire to maintain our current growth by raising our brand value and enhancing our business efficiencies under our new mid-term Mazda Advancement Plan and our long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Achieving our mid-term target for China of '300,000 units of production and sales in 2010' will be a key factor in our plans," he said.
This year, Mazda completed the consolidation of its production, sales and product foundations, which it has been building in order to achieve its mid-term objectives.
President and CEO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd., Satoshi Tachikake: "We have set up a production structure that comprises three facilities: the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Nanjing plant, which was completed in September and features Mazda's latest production and machining technologies, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile plant in Chongqing, and FAW Car Company in Changchun."
Mazda is also updating its sales network in order to achieve its mid-term target. In addition to the existing FAW Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (FMSC), Changan Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (CMSC) has been newly established, and sales will commence through the two channels from January 2008.
Noriaki Yamada, who is in charge of China sales, added, "The newly established Mazda Motor (China) Beijing Office will function as the representative of Mazda Motor Corporation. It will establish a reliable sales network by developing a unified brand strategy for the two sales channels and policies that will always benefit the customer. Mazda's core products will be progressively introduced through the two sales channels to strengthen our product lineup. We intend to continue expanding our sales network, from the current 104 dealerships to a total of 160 for both channels by January 2008, and establish over 300 dealers by 2010."
At the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show, Mazda will promote the Zoom-Zoom brand promise by displaying twelve vehicles from five model lines, which represent Mazda's core products that are scheduled for launch.
The display will include the Mazda5 and Mazda3 5-door hatchback, which are due to be introduced through FMSC. The Mazda5 is a stylish global minivan that will go on sale in China from December 2007. The Mazda3 5-door hatchback is one of Mazda's core models and supports global sales mainly in Europe, Japan and Asia. It is due to commence sales in China during the first half of 2008.
The all-new Mazda2 five-door hatchback and sedan models that will be launched through the new CMSC channel will also be showcased. The all-new Mazda2 five-door hatchback is the first of Mazda's evolved Zoom-Zoom new generation products. It has received excellent reviews, including the prestigious 2008 RJC Car of the Year award in Japan, since its global rollout commenced this summer. Production began at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile's Nanjing plant at the end of October, with sales to follow in January 2008.
Officially titled The 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, the press day is November 19, and public days are November 20 - 26.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
raz 1:42PM (11/19/2007)
WOW
Folks who needs Euro Focus, it that Mazda 2 was in USA as a Ford Focus i would buy that car.
I don't even know how to say it....this car is simply gourgeous.
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Hooper 2:01PM (11/19/2007)
The Focus is a compact (C-segment) car. The Mazda2 is a subcompact (B-segment) car.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:00PM (11/19/2007)
The Mazda 3 is built on the EU Ford Focus platform. And it's available in the US already.
raz 1:43PM (11/19/2007)
OK, i just fell back to Earth
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-mazda2-sedan/498079/
That interior is Uggggggly
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AlexP 1:47PM (11/19/2007)
Subjective topic is subjective.
If you'd rather have any Dodge's interior over this, you have issues.
raz 1:51PM (11/19/2007)
LOL, believe me i drove in few Dodges....they are horrible, just horrible. I think this Mazda 2 has ugly designed interior, materials look good on the picture, i just don't like the shape. Dodge on the other hand is CHEAP and ugly.
Now Honda Civic has a great interior, especialy the dash. Looks just great.
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AlexP 2:09PM (11/19/2007)
I still fail to see the appeal of the CR-V, after spending some time in one.
Zoom 7:20AM (11/20/2007)
Civic's interior great? You have problems...
Hooper 2:03PM (11/19/2007)
"China is the first market in the world to see the four-door sedan version of the Mazda2, which originally debuted in Europe as a three-door hatch."
Didn't it come out first in Japan, badged as the Demio?
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John P. 2:44PM (11/19/2007)
Oh well, Even Mazda (on a roll lately) hasn't quite got a handle on making cheap cars look good. This looks terrible and cheap.
I hope the Ford B-Car coming soon (same platform?) looks better. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know.
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Jacquester 2:47PM (11/19/2007)
IMHO, Still looks much better than the Fit or Yaris. At least it has some trunk and hood action going on.
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LBuzzer 2:52PM (11/19/2007)
As far as a Yaris competitor, hands down winner: much sleeker, more modern design; adequate interior; and I assume much better driving dynamics; and the trunk doesn't look like it's missing 4 inches to set the 3-box proportions correctly - something that has plagued the current Mazda 3 since day 1.
Drop the current 2.3l in there, drop it an inch and half and put some decent rubber, then call it a Mazdaspeed 2. Woohoo! That would be a hoot to drive.
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EMC 6:01PM (11/19/2007)
Having driven a Yaris (2006 model), and compared it against the other small cars available at the time, i'd have to say that dynamically I found it quite poor. I felt uncomfortable driving it, and very disconnected from everything compared to the other small cars. The Mazda 2 on the other hand was great, so i'm assuming that the new model will be at least as good (i hope).
Scorch 6:22PM (11/19/2007)
If you're talking about driving dynamics in the context of the Toyota Yaris, I think you're missing the point. Its an econo-box and I don't think driving dynamics were high on Toyota's list.
AlexP 1:10AM (11/20/2007)
No, it's simply because Toyotas are driving appliances.
Trust me, I tried loving them, hell I could only swear by Toyota last year, but then I started visiting this blog and actually driving them. God damn.
mikomi 3:10PM (11/19/2007)
I got a chance to hop into a Mazda2 hatchback, it's nice. The console would be a bit of a headache to people who like to install their own after market stereo unit.
The car is surprisingly comfortable for its size. I like how the seats feel, better than on my CX-7.
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FLR 3:22PM (11/19/2007)
At first glance I thought it was an Acura RSX.
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Xcountryflyer 4:53PM (11/19/2007)
Bring the Mazda2 to the US!!!
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Colin Smith 5:10PM (11/19/2007)
No-one in Europe (except afew pensioners) buys hatchbacks mucked about with and given a sticking-out-tail. Booted (trunked) small cars are considered naff as hell, but appeal in third world countries, and the US it seems. Why is this, when hatchbacks are so much more useful, and better proportioned? Boots (trunks) only begin to work aesthetically on larger cars.
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Orfus 10:30PM (11/19/2007)
They're popular in 3rd world countries because no one can afford larger CD sedans. While their hatchback counterparts are often sold alongside, they're often higher-speced and meant for yuppies (i.e. call center agents who think they own the world because they work in an "office"), not families.
Another purpose of the tacked-on trunk is to serve as a crumple zone at the high likelihood that the 1000 ton jalopy truck tailgating you doesn't have adequate brakes.
LOL I know... I live in ASEAN where the Vios (Yaris sedan) is very popular)