2012 Mazda3 To Join 40 MPG Club

“The refreshed 2012 Mazda3 will arrive in showrooms this fall. With it will be the first application of Mazda’s new SKYACTIV powertrain technology in the United States. And, thanks to this new tech, the latest Mazda3 is expected to deliver dramatically better fuel economy compared to the outgoing model.

The new SKYACTIV 2.0 direct-injection gasoline engine and SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission is expected to help the 2012 Mazda3 achieved 40 miles per gallon on the highway. With a six-speed manual, it’s expected to achieve an impressive 39 mpg highway. City mileage ratings will be 28 mpg with the automatic, 27 mpg with the manual.

Not only will SKYACTIV help the Mazda3 get better mileage than before, but the new powertrain components are also expected to help the compact deliver plenty of power. SKYACTIV 2.0 is rated at 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.

The current model’s 148 horsepower 2.0-liter engine will also be available for the 2012 model year. Buyers can also opt for the more powerful 167 horsepower 2.5-liter unit.

Look for the 2012 Mazda 3 at U.S. dealers in October.”

Reblogged from MazdaInTheNews.com

Chrysler Works With Suppliers To Minimize Costs To Consumers

The Dodge Brand Races to the ‘XSport Fitness® Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon

The Dodge brand is going the distance as an official sponsor of the “XSport Fitness® Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon.” The Dodge running team of nearly 100 corporate volunteers will lace up their running shoes and participate in the half marathon in Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 14. In addition to being an official sponsor and the “Official Automotive Partner” of the half marathon, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Dodge Charger will lead the way for thousands of runners as the official pace vehicles.

“The Dodge brand is an American brand with American values, and we are committed to giving back into the communities where our customers work and live,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “The brand’s sponsorship of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series provides an opportunity to be involved at a grassroots level and gives our team the chance to travel to communities around the country, connecting with the more than 1 million people who are involved with the races.”

The Dodge brand is sponsoring additional activities during the Aug. 12 – 15 race weekend.

Marathon runners and attendees will be fully immersed in the Dodge brand experience with interactive mobile applications throughout the event’s two-day Health & Fitness Expo, Friday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 13. The 2011 Dodge Durango, Charger, Avenger and Journey will be available to test drive at the expo, with Dodge making a $20 donation for each test drive to the participant’s charity of choice.

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Mazda To Launch New Tech With CX-5 Crossover

Mazda is preparing to launch an all-new compact crossover, loosely based on theMinagi Crossover Concept we’ve seen at recent auto shows. The new model will be called the CX-5 and it will make its official world premier at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

The Mazda CX-5 will introduce two very important elements. For starters, its sheetmetal represents the automaker’s latest design theme, ‘KODO – Soul of Motion,’ which will eventually make its way across the Mazda lineup. Additionally, the CX-5 will feature Mazda’s latest SKYACTIV powertrain technologies, which ensure the crossover is just as efficient as it is fun-to-drive.

In addition to gasoline engines, the CX-5 will also be available with Mazda’s all-new 2.2-liter SKY-D diesel engine. It will reportedly be cleaner than Volkswagen’s beloved TDI engines. And, according to Mazda, the SKY-D will also go about 20 percent farther on a gallon of diesel than the current TDI.

Initial tests of the SKY-D engine in the Mazda6 have yielded about 43 miles per gallon. In the upcoming CX-5, the SKY-D could help the model deliver the best fuel economy among all compact crossovers, including the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Mazda will hold a press conference for the CX-5 on Tuesday, September 13. Stay tuned for additional details.

Reblogged from MazdaInTheNews.com

Live Web Chat with Ram Truck Brand President and CEO Fred Diaz on New Advertising Campaign, Thursday, August 11

WHAT:  Fred Diaz, President and CEO Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC, and Marissa Hunter, Head of Advertising – Ram Truck Brand, discuss the brand’s “Code of the West” advertising campaign and answer questions in a live web chat.

Participants will see a sneak preview of two new “Code of the West” spots set to debut in the fall.

Taking place in a Western-themed setting, the Ram Truck brand’s “Code of the West” national advertising campaign focuses on the proven capabilities and superiority of the entire product line and introduces the brand’s new tagline, “Guts. Glory. Ram.”

WHEN: Thursday, August 11 at 10 a.m. ET

HOW:  In order to view the event, go to http://blog.chryslerllc.com/blog.do?p=entry&id=1502

New Dodge Durango Named Top Safety Pick by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Auburn Hills, Mich. Dodge Durango has been named a “Top Safety Pick” for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS recognizes vehicles that perform “good” in front, side, rollover and rear crash test evaluations performed at its Vehicle Research Center in Virginia. This award applies to Durango models built after May 2011.

 

Additionally, to be considered, vehicles also must have available electronic stability control systems, which, research has shown, significantly reduce crash risks.

The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango offers consumers 45 safety and security features, including standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which delivers three security features to improve overall vehicle stability both on- and off-road: electronic roll mitigation (ERM), which reacts and applies brakes during extreme situations, and Hill-start Assist (HSA), which works with standard Trailer-sway Control (TSC) to enhance off-road and towing capabilities.

Other safety and security features available on the 2011 Dodge Durango include Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, which aid drivers when they’re changing lanes or parking. In addition, Durango features standard seat-mounted and side-curtain air bags in the front row. The curtain air bag extends protection to second- and third-row passengers. Durango also includes standard front-row active head restraints. Additionally, drivers can remotely lower third row headrests to enhance rear visibility when the seats are not occupied.

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New Advertising Spots for all-new 2011 Dodge Durango Showcase the Return of American SUV Performance

American performance returning to center stage is the overall message of new television advertising for the new 2011 Dodge Durango. Numerous spots will begin airing this week all of which will emphasize that “The SUV is Back.”
“In all of our advertising campaigns, we look for creative solutions that entertain the audience, capture the essence of each of our individual brands, and showcase our competitive advantages,” said Olivier Francois, Lead Executive for Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. “With bold and creative treatments characteristic of the Dodge brand, the new ads prove the point that Durango can go head-to-head with the competition and always come out the winner.”

“With its perfect blend of fuel efficiency and driving dynamics, spacious seating for seven, and best-in-class power and towing capacity, no other sport utility on the road compares with the all-new Dodge Durango,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Durango customers are looking for the perfect balance of functional versatility and luxury at an outstanding value, a vehicle that is spacious and flexible enough to haul three rows of passengers and their gear, but powerful and agile enough to keep it fun. It is these capabilities and features that are the focus of the new ad campaign.”

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World Class Consumer Focus

Mazda Endorses 2025 White House Fuel Deal

Mazda has joined a number of other automakers in endorsing a White House plan to hike fuel efficiency requirements to 54.5 mpg by 2025. Although the automaker originally had reservations about the plan, Mazda has since reversed course and now supports the proposal.

“We have done a further evaluation of the CAFE proposal and this morning informed the White House that we can now support the proposal,” said Barbara Nocera, Mazda’s director of government affairs last week.

The White House originally wanted 56.2 mpg by 2025, but adjusted the proposal and added more credits to appease automakers. Credits will be available for air conditioning improvements, as well as advanced grilles and solar roof cells.

The White House and California will unveil formal proposals by the end of September. The proposed deal would essentially expand a May 2009 agreement that boosted fuel efficiency standards to 34.1 mpg by 2016, costing the auto industry $51.5 billion over five years.

Reblogged from Mazda in the News.com

Mazda Invests In VA Remanufacturing Facility

Mazda recently held a grand opening ceremony for its new automotive transmission facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The automaker invested $2.3 million to make the expansion of the facility a reality.

Originally opened in 2008 as a rotary engine remanufacturing line, the facility now features a power steering pump line, a dealer training center, and an information call center. The recent expansion added 21 new full-time jobs to the site, and it currently employs a total of 41 full-time and 29 temporary employees.

“Mazda is thrilled with its location in Chesterfield County, it has enabled us to effectively serve our desired distribution area,” said Mazda’s Vice President of Customer Service, Yasuo Kunita. “With the quality workforce in Chesterfield, the facility’s central east coast location and the continued support and assistance of Chesterfield Economic Development, we have been able to deliver quality service to our customers efficiently and cost effectively. We look forward to doing the same with our transmission line.”

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