Mazda

Mazda Sales Thailand Co. Ltd has reported satisfactory sales during the first half of 2008. Despite the market conditions, the high diesel price and the political uncertainty, Mazda seem to be holding their own in a difficult market where pickup truck sales in particular are suffering.

No, bkkAutos.com is not shifting focus to pick-up trucks, although the last several stories have been related to pick-up trucks! There is just more news about the truck market at the moment. Mazda have just launched the update to their BT-50 with highlights including a new suspension set up that apparently allows the Mazda BT-50 to fly, and engines that are compatible with B5 biodiesel.

Full details and more images follow:

Mazda have completed their BT-50 bio-diesel B2 and B5 test and have posted a press release which declares the success of the test. I have included the full press release below, but I would like to point out a few things that had me wondering.

Mazda are currently touring Thailand in a couple of BT-50 pickup trucks. They are going to complete a trip of over 10,000 km to show that the BT-50 can run on the new B2 and B5 fuels with no adverse affects. I'll be interested in seeing the results of this test, even though I think 10,000 km is probably not enough to convince anybody that there are no adverse effects of the fuel. Further, this fuel is 98% and 95% regular diesel anyway.

I'd be particularly interested in the fuel consumption figures for the trip. Also, this test will also be equivalent to a Ford Ranger test, since they share the same power units. I would love for this to be a B100 test though, but that will come.

Mazda received over 800 bookings at the 2007 Thailand International Motor Expo, which is a decent result for the brand. Most of this was due to price reductions on the Mazda3, which resulted in similar reductions to those offered by Ford for the E20 capable Focus.

The 2008 Mazda2 is probably going to come to Thailand in 2009, and now there is also the prospect of this rather stylish sedan variant currently being marketed to the Chinese.

The five-door version we reported on earlier will provide a bit of competition in the small-car segment, currently the stomping ground for Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris. And by the looks of this four-door Mazda2, the City and Vios would be given a serious run for their money.

2007 Mazda 3 minor change.

This image was uploaded with the post Facelifted Mazda 3 on the way?.

This image was uploaded with the post Facelifted Mazda 3 on the way?.

This image was uploaded with the post Facelifted Mazda 3 on the way?.

This image was uploaded with the post Facelifted Mazda 3 on the way?.

Very unlikely that we will ever see one of these in Thailand. This 265hp rocket will get to 100km/h in less than 6 seconds.

This image was uploaded with the post Facelifted Mazda 3 on the way?.

Could Mazda be about to introduce a facelift to the Mazda3? Despite still looking fresh, the Mazda3 might be due for a minor update. The Thai newspaper Yuadyarn carries an image of the Mazdaspeed3 on the front page, while announcing that a facelift is on the way. But this is not to say that the 265 hp rocket is coming to Thailand!

Actually, things are a little more mundane, with the usual sprinkling of minor detail adjustments to the styling to signal that the 3 is on it's last legs with another 2-3 years before a new model will be introduced.

This image was uploaded with the post 2007 Bangkok International Motor Show - Yawn.

The MPV is unimaginatively named, but the styling is not quite as boring. Practical sliding doors in the back should come with electrically operated option.

This image was uploaded with the post 2007 Bangkok Internaional Motor Show theme.

This image was uploaded with the post 2007 Bangkok Internaional Motor Show theme.