Elara
11-04-2003, 07:37 PM
I found this in last week's Automotive News:
Additional Mazda Nameplates on Horizon
Mark Rechtin
Staff Reporter
Tokyo- Within the next two years, Mazda Motor Corp. will develop at least five nameplates from it's new core platforms, executives said.
Some of the vehicles will be replacements for existing vehicles, while others will be new entries to the Mazda brand, said Joseph Bakaj, Mazda executive officer of design and product development. What's more, these vehicles will be developed from the design freeze to Job 1 in 12 months, he said.
The launches of the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6 and RX-8 over the past two years represent about two-thirds of Mazda's volume. The new products will be counted on for additional growth, said Bakaj(pronounced by "buh-KYE").
Mazda can "quickly and cheaply go after niches and higher-revenue segments with the platforms it has in place," he said here last week.
Reusing architecture
Potential new segmentsare being examined by the advanced activities division of Mazda's product development department, he said. The advanced activities group has teams in California, German, and Japan. "All they do is work new concepts," Bakaj said.
Although not giving details of the new vehicles, an examination of product cycles shows that the Miata, Tribute and MPV are due for renewel by Fall 2005. Mazda has also done several studies of a large crossover vehicle, though Bakaj said such a vehicle must match the Mazda brand.
That still leaves several segments open for expansion. Bakaj said models such as the Mazda6 wagon do not count as contributors to the new derivative count.
As to how well the Tribute and MPV could work from the Mazda6 platform, Bakaj said: "You can stretch the wheelbase and upgrade the suspension, but it's not such a big deal. If you look at the rear multilink suspension , there are no technical issues to taking it up a couple classes."
A tougher task is to ensure that a larger vehicle on the same architecture will be stiff enough to avoid noise, vibration, and harshness, he said.
Not all the derivatives will reach all markets. The Mazda2, for example, is considered too small for the North American market, as might it's derivatives.
Bakaj did confirm that Mazda will use the RX-8 platform for the next Miata. He has said Mazda wants two-seat coupe and convertible versions of the RX-8 as well.
"We've strategically invested lots of money in the RX-8, so it makes sense to reuse that investment," Bakaj said. "We'd want a different wheelbase and track, but we can reuse the architecture."
Can't pigeonhole
Mazda chief designer Moray Callum said the four core products have consolidated Mazda's design look. But the derivative vehicles will be used for evolving and growing the face of Mazda.
"You will recognize them as Mazdas, but because they are derivatives, we can give the cars their own signature and character," Callum said. "We're looking at types of vehicles that don't fit just into a segment, vehicles that you can't pigeonhole."
I've also got an article about possible fuel leaks in the Mazda6's gas tank, but I don't feel like typing it all in right now.
Additional Mazda Nameplates on Horizon
Mark Rechtin
Staff Reporter
Tokyo- Within the next two years, Mazda Motor Corp. will develop at least five nameplates from it's new core platforms, executives said.
Some of the vehicles will be replacements for existing vehicles, while others will be new entries to the Mazda brand, said Joseph Bakaj, Mazda executive officer of design and product development. What's more, these vehicles will be developed from the design freeze to Job 1 in 12 months, he said.
The launches of the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6 and RX-8 over the past two years represent about two-thirds of Mazda's volume. The new products will be counted on for additional growth, said Bakaj(pronounced by "buh-KYE").
Mazda can "quickly and cheaply go after niches and higher-revenue segments with the platforms it has in place," he said here last week.
Reusing architecture
Potential new segmentsare being examined by the advanced activities division of Mazda's product development department, he said. The advanced activities group has teams in California, German, and Japan. "All they do is work new concepts," Bakaj said.
Although not giving details of the new vehicles, an examination of product cycles shows that the Miata, Tribute and MPV are due for renewel by Fall 2005. Mazda has also done several studies of a large crossover vehicle, though Bakaj said such a vehicle must match the Mazda brand.
That still leaves several segments open for expansion. Bakaj said models such as the Mazda6 wagon do not count as contributors to the new derivative count.
As to how well the Tribute and MPV could work from the Mazda6 platform, Bakaj said: "You can stretch the wheelbase and upgrade the suspension, but it's not such a big deal. If you look at the rear multilink suspension , there are no technical issues to taking it up a couple classes."
A tougher task is to ensure that a larger vehicle on the same architecture will be stiff enough to avoid noise, vibration, and harshness, he said.
Not all the derivatives will reach all markets. The Mazda2, for example, is considered too small for the North American market, as might it's derivatives.
Bakaj did confirm that Mazda will use the RX-8 platform for the next Miata. He has said Mazda wants two-seat coupe and convertible versions of the RX-8 as well.
"We've strategically invested lots of money in the RX-8, so it makes sense to reuse that investment," Bakaj said. "We'd want a different wheelbase and track, but we can reuse the architecture."
Can't pigeonhole
Mazda chief designer Moray Callum said the four core products have consolidated Mazda's design look. But the derivative vehicles will be used for evolving and growing the face of Mazda.
"You will recognize them as Mazdas, but because they are derivatives, we can give the cars their own signature and character," Callum said. "We're looking at types of vehicles that don't fit just into a segment, vehicles that you can't pigeonhole."
I've also got an article about possible fuel leaks in the Mazda6's gas tank, but I don't feel like typing it all in right now.