Test mule or not this is fugly! Mazda can do better.


http://news.windingroad.com/trends/next-gen-mazda2-mule-spied-in-california/

I know you can't tell much, but gosh that mule is UGLY.

Mazda should offer a diesel that will get about 50mpg and make it handle better than anything else in the class.

Looks good to me, as far as test mules go (They can be hideous). The mule is wearing some Verisa parts which is not a bad thing. If they bring anything to join the market below the 3 in the US I think it will be welcome.

I do also hope they have some diesel plans for the US and don't end up behind everyone else when it catches on.

Paul.

Aren't mules SUPPOSED to be ugly?

Definitely wearing a Verisa skin. I like the Verisa design BTW, especially the interior.
http://www.verisa.mazda.co.jp/

Ultimately, it may end up looking like this:
http://forum.softpedia.com/index.php?showtopic=185867

So there is supposed to be a car priced BELOW the Mazda3?

I personally like the idea that the Mazda3 is the lowest priced are in the lineup. I don't think Mazda can compete against Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai in that price segment so why even try. This will only dillute the brand.

Mazda isn't known for building pricey cars, but going down market even further is not a good idea if you ask me.

Why not compete down there? They've begun proving themselves with the 3 against Corolla and Civic and are developing a lot of credibilty among young American buyers. I say bring it on. The last illustrations on the Italian site are really neat if you scroll to the bottom. It takes some hints from their European design concept for sure.

Paul

I love looking at test mules, they look so sad sometimes.

Makes me happy.

check out the new macca test mule...
supposed to be a baby SLR but right now it looks like it's straight out of Mad Max.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/popups/gallery.asp?NA=223522

here are some shots of the "normal" 2door hatch next gen mazda2 mule from the end of november

http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6061127.003/country/jcf/mazda/spy-photos-new-mazda-2

clearly Ford and Mazda are making a push into the bsegment in the
US as i have predicted/urged them to do over and over again the past couple of years.

http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1472827&postcount=15
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=82324&highlight=segment

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=80533&highlight=segment

even if they dont want to say anything formally yet ( http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1551387&highlight=segment#post1551387 ) its clear that Mazda is at the point of this spear. I for one would be glad to see a next gen verisa styled bsegment car rather than the one that appears above in my first link(obviously based on the sassou http://www.mazda.com.au/articleZone5.asp?articleZoneID=4837 )

http://www.mazda.com.au/articles/images/sassou_concept_hero.jpg


mazda needs more production capacity if its to really make a go of it. using Fords Mexico plants(where ford has recently moved their b segment production too-even for europe) or even one of Fords idle plants in the states as they mentioned earlier this year

interesting move- mazda has pulled its european Mazda2 production from the plant in spain and announced they will build for europe from Japan-


http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-12-01T094314Z_01_T221928_RTRIDST_0_MAZDA-FORD-PRODUCTION.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

and it says the y will launch the new bsegment car next year built in japan. another article

http://www.e4engineering.com/Articles/297184/Mazda+to+build+next+B-car+in+Japan.htm

i dont see where they can get the capacity...


Mazdanews.com is reporting that Mazda will possibly build its own new plants- one in Thailand and one in NA somewhere possibly mexico

http://mazdanews.com/node/view/379

TOKYO - Mazda Motor Corp plans to construct a small-car plant in Thailand jointly with Ford Motor Co and build its own factory in North America, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, without citing sources.

Under a new growth plan, Mazda and its top shareholder Ford will spend more than 50 billion yen to build the Thai plant, which will begin operations in 2009, the business daily said. This factory will roll out some 200,000+ vehicles per year, including the 1.3-liter Demio.

The two are also considering manufacturing transmissions there as well, which, if combined, could send overall investment there to 100 billion yen, the Nihon Keizai said.

Mazda is also studying building a new plant in North America on its own. The Japanese automaker will select a site, possibly in Mexico, with an aim of bringing the factory on-stream in the first half of the 2010s, according to the report

how will they be able to build the Mazda2's for japan and enough for the US at the Ujina plant? they built (according to the articles) 72 k there previously and they have enough capacity for about 65k more. 65k is not enough for both the US and Europe. 2010 is a long time away. wonder whats wrong with that plant in spain that they dont want to continue the production of this segement there? just consolidation of resources? something doesnt add upp

maybe they will be using ford plants that are basically sitting idle

that has been suggested before
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&sid=aHtJj5bT.ERQ&refer=japan

``Building a plant in the U.S. is one of the alternatives under study,'' Mazda Chief Executive Officer Hisakazu Imaki said in a May 3 interview. ``Using an idle Ford facility has the benefit of allowing us to get the capacity quickly, but it also entails some issues.''

Is adding another plant in Japan a possibility? Although I understand there is quality control and etc, I would still never buy a Mazda/Japanese car not made in Japan.
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