The global car market may be down, but it can’t stay there forever. When the market does return, Mazda will be ready. According to Mazda president and CEO James Muir, the Japanese automaker is planning a model expansion, which should help in the automaker’s quest to grow its market share.
Although the first of Mazda’s new models will probably do battle in the compact segments, Muir told Autocar that he wants Mazda to become a “more aspirational brand that will be an alternative to the premium manufacturers.” That means that small car buyers won’t have to sacrifice amenities for fuel economy.
Mazda ’s Kiyora concept car – which debuted at the Paris Motor Show – is likely headed to production, and will serve as the company’s entry-level city car. No official word on naming, but it is widely believed Mazda will name its new city car the Mazda1.
The Kazamai show car that made its debut at the Moscow show is also set to make production as Mazda’s small crossover. No word if the Kazamai will make it to U.S. shores, but it seems like a sure bet for the rugged roads of Russia.
While the U.S. may miss out on the Kazamai, Mazda has no plans of leaving the States out of its sports car plans. A new, more radical MX-5 is in the pipeline for 2012 – which Muir says is “going back to basics” — and the long-rumored RX-7 is said to be under development. Look for the new RX-7 to pick up where the old one left off, including a high output version of Mazda’s signature rotary engine.
