ASH8

HIROSHIMA, Japan—

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced it will double production capacity at its engine plant in Hiroshima. Production volume will be increased from 400,000 units to 800,000 units per year in October 2012. The plant produces SKYACTIV-D diesel engines and SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines. The capacity increase is made in response to increasing demand for cars incorporating the company's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY*1. It is made possible by Mazda's continued pursuit of a highly efficient flexible production system using multipurpose equipment.

The SKYACTIV-G is a highly efficient, new-generation direct-injection gasoline engine. Mazda engineers overcame the problem of abnormal combustion, commonly known as "knocking", to achieve the world's highest compression ratio for a mass production gasoline engine for vehicles*2. It is presently available in the Mazda Demio for the Japanese market, the Mazda Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3) for the North American and Australian market, and the Mazda CX-5, currently being launched in markets around the world. It will also be available in the next generation Mazda Atenza (known overseas as Mazda6) to be released later this year.

The SKYACTIV-D is a new-generation clean diesel engine that complies with global exhaust gas regulations without the need for a costly nitrogen oxide (NOx) aftertreatment system. It achieves the world's lowest compression ratio for a mass production diesel engine for vehicles*2. The first model to be equipped with the SKYACTIV-D is the Mazda CX-5 for the Japanese, European and Australian markets.

It will also be available in the next generation Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 to be released later this year.

Mazda intends to sell 1,700,000 units globally in the fiscal year ending March 2016. Models employing SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY are expected to account for 80 percent of total sales.

History of Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY

2009 October:

World debut of SKY CONCEPT at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show

2010 October:

Announced outline of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY

2011 June:

Facelifted Mazda Demio featuring SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine launched in Japan

2011 September:

Facelifted Mazda Axela featuring SKYACTIV-G and SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission launched in Japan

2012 February:

Mazda CX-5, the first in Mazda's series of new products featuring the full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY (SKYACTIV-G or SKYACTIV-D, SKYACTIV-DRIVE, SKYACTIV-CHASSIS and SKYACTIV-BODY)

*1 An umbrella term for Mazda's new-generation technologies, including SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine, SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission, high-performance light weight SKYACTIV-CHASSIS and lightweight and highly rigid SKYACTIV-BODY
*2 As of June 2012 (Mazda data)

usnidc

If they bring this to the US, I am buying one...

zoom44

get your down payment ready. you have 6-8 months. maybe 10 at the outside

MattMPS

+1

a bigger gasoline than 2.0 engine is also scheduled @ launch

MariesRX8

Is that officially confirmed anywhere? I've read that rumor, but no actual announcement.

It'd sure make a nice option for the CX-5.

gwilliams6

I love my RX8 40th Anniversary Edition. While getting a scheduled service done at my Mazda dealership (Maple Shade Mazda, Turnersville, NJ) I went into the showroom to check out the Skyactive CX-5 Touring AWD Model on display. Very nice with great mileage numbers, and in what was a pleasant surprise for this 6ft. 4in tall guy, I sat comfortably in the driver's seat, and then without moving the seat forward, I sat COMFORTABLY in the driver's side rear seat behind it ! How they got that much room in here with still good rear cargo space and a spare tire under the floor with AWD no less, , I don't know. This baby is a winner ! Keep buying them folks and Mazda may have the money to give us another rotary gem.

Also saw the artist rendering of the Shinari influenced Mazda 6 coming with its own Skyactiv, truly beautiful. And the Shinari influence is projected for the next RX too.

MattMPS

autonews had talked about that...reported by many sites...not official tough....a sort of semi-official

citation:
According to a report in Automotive News, Mazda will introduce a new high-compression, direct-injected SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine during the 2013 calendar year. The report says that this new, larger, and more powerful engine will be optional for the 2014 Mazda CX-5, and “will power the redesigned 2014 Mazda 6.” Certainly, Mazda is targeting minimum output of 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft. of torque with this engine to ensure that the new Mazda 6 is competitive with other midsize four-cylinder sedans.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

if they can get the 2.5 to use about the same or less(am I dreaming?) gas than their 2.0 version then ... I might just trade the Mazda3 in for it.