LA Times sez Mazda CEO sez....
 

This is from an LA Times interview with the Mazda CEO




Q: The rotary engine, which you use in the RX-8 sports car, has helped set Mazda apart in the U.S. But it is harder with a rotary to achieve both low emissions and good fuel economy. Is that engine done for?

A: Oh, no. We do not intend to withdraw from the rotary. In fact, were are now developing the next generation of that engine.

good news

probably DI rotary. hope it makes it into a car soon.
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Glass weed pipe

I also liked the answer about diesels. Mazda3 diesel would be a hot seller.

Good Interview..

Confirms my personal belief that Mazda Japan is very much a "separate" car manufacturer and the "Ford" influence on decision making is very minimal, and always has been.
Mark Fields was the guy who put Mazda back on its feet in the right direction though.

The Rotary Engine HAS a future....including the RX-8..
Would like to see it with DI but somehow I think it will be in a hybrid form.

Ford benifits financially form Mazda, but its not all directly. Alot of the platform sharing and component sharing really helps fords bottom line. Ford can put certain projects to Mazda to pay for that they can all use, rather than just suck up the profit directly. Its also better in terms of taxes.

Basically, it shows why Ford going under isn't going to take Mazda with it.

The "next generation" of the rotary is the hydrogen rotary

Too bad we don't have any stations to fill it up yet.

Calif. was trying to get 50 stations up and down the major interstates this year.

Ford can go under , it wont change Mazda much as Ford's ownership financially is 34%.

As said in the interview Mazda have been paying off "their" previous liabilities and debt first, after that Ford will receive 34% of any net profit in the future...whenever that is..

great news i just wish we would hear more of this. next generation rotary i just wish i new what model it will be intended for.

i hear it tastes like chicken..

beers :beer:

Hear this Ford: Let Mazda do whatever they want. Last time you messed with their products you screwed it up just like you have done to yourselves. Best thing you can do is watch and learn and dump all the money you make from them back into the only good investment you ever made.

:(

Man, Mazda needs to hurry up and put the T.C engine in MS3 in the new Mx5 and put the new kabura into production in both regular trim and MS version to really start picking up market share and remaining a "Zoom Zoom" maker. The future looks bright!

i doubt they will put the t.c engine in the mx-5, or it will just be way too overpowered for the rx-8... thier flagship... and the rx-8 will be dead

The 6 is the flagship car. The 8 is what we all wish was the flagship car. It's the specialty car.

oops i just reposted this:D: in general auto

Wish they had a Mazda 9 at the $28K+ level to take on the G35 or TL or 328.

I dont know if they'd ever reintroduce a luxury sedan, but it is at least made possible with a powerful new V6.

edit: I saw the millenia S the other day.. it was gorgeus.... the lines and curves... they're so rare too.
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HotBellaXXX

A DI rotary will be good but I think an electric-hybrid rotary would be best. It would increase MPG, increase hp and torque and could be used to eliminate flooding.

Flooding is not a big issue for many but it is a PITA to move my car so the wife can take hers and leave it running in the driveway for 5 minutes while I'm back in the house, go back out to rev it and shut it off.