LETTER FROM
VOL.110
M{ZD{
2015.12
Mazda Unveils Mazda RX-VISION Concept at 44th Tokyo Motor Show
Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled the
rotary-powered Mazda RX-VISION
concept sports car at the 44th Tokyo
Motor Show, which ran from October 30
through November 8, 2015. The rotary
engine is a symbol of the company’s
“never-stop-challenging” spirit.
The RX-VISION represents a vision of
the future that Mazda hopes to one day
make reality: a front-engine, rear-wheel
drive sports car with exquisite, KODO
Soul of Motion design-based proportions that only Mazda can envision,
and powered by the next-generation
SKYACTIV-R rotary engine.
Also on display were the Mazda
KOERU, a crossover SUV concept
car that made its debut in Japan at
the motor show, and a Cosmo Sport,
Mazda’s first rotary-powered vehicle,
which went on sale in 1967. Along with
the RX-VISION, these vehicles were
popular with many visitors.
Other vehicles in Mazda’s prize-winning
new product line-up on display at the
company’s stand included the Mazda3,
Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5, Mazda2 and the
MX-5 Miata. Many visitors sat in the
cars and got behind the steering wheel.
Special events at which visitors could
talk with Mazda directors and engineers
were held. At other events Mazda
employees outlined the company’s
vehicle manufacturing philosophy and
its technology and described the
features of various models.
Mazda will continue to pursue “driving
pleasure” and foster loyalty to the
Mazda brand while working to enrich
customers’ lives through their cars,
visualizing a future in which the earth,
society and cars coexist.
Production of CX-3 in Thailand Begins
Mazda Motor Corporation held a
ceremony on October 26 to celebrate
the start of production of the all-new
All-new Mazda CX-3
Mazda CX-3 at Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (AAT), the company’s
production facility in Thailand. About
300 people attended, including Kiyotaka Shobuda and Kazuhisa Fujikawa,
managing executive officers at Mazda
and executives and employees of AAT.
AAT is the second production location
and the first overseas facility to produce the CX-3.
“AAT is a very important production site
that allows us to provide a stable supply of the CX-3 to the compact SUV
market, which is growing globally, in a
timely manner,” Mr. Shobuda said. “We
will work to further enhance our brand
image by providing customers with
Thai-produced vehicles that offer quality equal to that of the cars we manufacture in Japan.”
COMMUNITY
Mazda Sponsors Sanfrecce Hiroshima Game
This year’s Mazda-sponsored Sanfrec-
Despite a strong effort, Sanfrecce lost
on October 3 against FC Tokyo in Edion
winning streak after that and captured
ce Hiroshima soccer game took place
Stadium Hiroshima. The annual event
is a joint effort of labor and manage-
ment. About 1,900 employees of Mazda
group companies and its suppliers and
their family members attended.
the game, but the team went on a
Hiroshima.
its third J. League championship, the
first since 2013.
As a major shareholder in the team,
Mazda and the entire Mazda group
will continue to support Sanfrecce
Mazda Foundation Decides On 2015 Research Grants
The Mazda Foundation (chairman: Sei-
perature Growth InGaAs Solid-phase
University, for his research on “The Ef-
grants for fiscal year 2015 from among
expected to contribute to fundamental
in Addressing Child Poverty in Japan.”
ta Kanai) has decided on its research
443 applications, the highest number
ever received. A total of 31 grants were
awarded: 25 for Promotion of Science
and Technology totaling ¥32 million
and six for Sound Development of
Young People totaling ¥5 million.
●Promotion of Science and Technology
These grants are awarded for ground-
breaking research in the field. Among
those selected for these grants was Yoriko Tominaga, an associate professor at
Hiroshima University, for her research
on “The Development of Low-Tem-
Epitaxy Technology.” This research is
materials technology. The Mazda Re-
search Grant, which was established
last year to mark the 30 anniversary of
th
the Mazda Foundation, was awarded to
young researchers, including Masahito
Nishikawara, an assistant professor at
Toyohashi University of Technology.
fectiveness of the Shift-Persist Strategy
Japan has a high rate of child poverty.
This research addresses this issue and
these children’s future careers.
Established 30 years ago, the Mazda
Foundation has now awarded 1,945
grants totaling nearly ¥1.6 billion yen.
●Sound Development of Young People
These grants are for practical research
that helps revitalize citizens’ activities
related to the sound development of
young people. Among those selected
for these grants was Kenichiro Nakashima, an instructor at Hiroshima
A ceremony to present research grants at Hiroshima University
Mazda Unveils All-New CX-9 at Los Angeles Auto Show
Mazda Motor Corporation premiered
gies and KODO Soul of Motion design,
2.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged
size crossover SUV at the Los Angeles
new-generation lineup. Sales will begin
“Introducing the all-new CX-9 into the
its all-new Mazda CX-9 three-row midAuto Show in November. Fully incorporating the latest SKYACTIV technolo-
the CX-9 is the latest model in Mazda’s
in North America in the spring of 2016.
While building on KODO’s basic feel-
ing of vitality, the all-new CX-9 moves
toward a more premium concept.
Aimed at the market’s mature family
segment, the CX-9 is a comfortable new
crossover SUV that transcends speci-
fications and functionality to support
every aspect of customers’ lives. It is
the first model to feature Mazda’s new
gasoline engine, SKYACTIV-G 2.5T.
midsize SUV segment will strengthen
our new-generation line-up, and we ex-
pect a big boost and sustained growth
in North America,” said Masamichi
Kogai, president and CEO of Mazda.
“Moving forward, Mazda will continue
working to further develop our entire
product line-up, enhance the appeal
of the Mazda brand and build a strong
bond with customers.”