MAZDA BRINGS MOMENTUM TO THE TOKYO MOTOR SHOW
Mazda opened the Tokyo Motor show today with a clear commitment to continue its product momentum in the Asia-Pacific area. Spotlighted vehicles include the Mazda MPV, two alternative fuel concept vehicles and the Mazda MX-Crossport concept, scheduled to go into production soon.
The MX-Crossport represents a new breed of vehicles, according to the company, combining the merits of a sports car with those of an SUV. It indicates a direction that Mazda's future products could take as it further expands its lineup of new generation products.
"We want to we want to be a company that satisfies and is trusted by stakeholders," said Mazda president and CEO Hisakazu Imaki. "Not by being a large-scale automaker, but by continuing to create cars that give drivers an exciting ownership experience."
Mazda's concept vehicle SENKU illustrates the point. SENKU, which means pioneer in Japanese, is a four-seater rotary sports car for mature adults.
It demonstrates how Mazda continues to offer unique "zoom-zoom" driving qualities, in the face of increasing environmental and safety requirements, according to the company.
"As part of our commitment to being a good corporate citizen, we have to implement far-reaching measures that protect the environment," said Imaki.
"We aim to continue supplying the industry's cleanest and most efficient engines. And, in parallel, develop and introduce more advanced technologies like hybrid engines and our own hydrogen rotary engine," he added.
The second concept vehicle on display, the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE, is a result of the company's aggressive research into cutting-edge technology.
The seven-seater minivan features a hybrid power unit that combines a dual-fuel hydrogen/gasoline rotary engine with an electric motor. The driver can select whether the engine will burn hydrogen or gasoline. Mazda has already worked on such an engine in its RX-8 sports car.