Mazda Launches New Mazda2 Sports Sedan Offensive With Celebrity “Pae” Arak As Presenter

Bangkok, Thailand – March 16 2010 – Mazda Thailand has announced its plans to further penetrate the highly-competitive Thai automobile market. After the tremendous success achieved with the Mazda2 5-door hatchback that rocked the Thai subcompact market when introduced in late 2009 and achieved sales of 5,500 units, Mazda is now introducing the much-awaited sports sedan version of the Mazda2. For the Sedan version, another style of popular musician/actor “Pae” Arak Amornsupasiri is being presented, clearly stressing upon the sporty elegance with unique styling of the new Mazda2 sports sedan. This strategy is targeted at members of “Generation NOW”, who have been raised in the digital age and have a unique lifestyle just like the new Mazda2, which comes with a launch campaign – “New Mazda2 Life Continues”. Like other models, the new Mazda2 sports sedan comes with the strong Mazda “Zoom-Zoom” identity with its sporty and distinctive design, as well as a large and comfortable interior and 5-star European NCAP crash rating. The new Mazda2 sports sedan is a high-quality sub-compact car that promises driving enjoyment and is available for Thai customers at a starting price of only Baht 535,000.

John Ray, managing director at Mazda Thailand, said the extremely successful launch of the Mazda2 hatchback in mid November 2009 has given Mazda a dramatic leap forward with unprecedented sales success. “The success level of the Mazda2 surprised our Mazda’s competitors who are watching us closely now,” John said. “It is important for us to work more closely with our dealers in order to ensure our success this year through various projects and initiatives. Apart from our sales success, Mazda has always given importance to expanding our sales and after sales service network and our objective is to have 130 Dealers across the country by December this year and all will feature the new Mazda Corporate Image and cater to the increased sales and servicing demand. We will also ensure a higher level of customer satisfaction in vehicle sales, financing, parts or service, as well as elevate the Mazda brand to a stronger position among the leaders in the Thai automobile industry,” he said.

John Ray added that for 2010, Mazda has set a sales target of 35,000 units, which reflect a 164% sales growth over 2009. “The new Mazda2 sports sedan and the 5-door hatchback model will be our most important products this year, and the combined sales target for these two models has been set at 24,000 units. Meanwhile, the Mazda3 will maintain its excellent performance with sales of 5,000 units and sales of the Mazda BT-50 sport pickup is expected to reach 6,000 units, plus another 78 units of premium models namely the Mazda CX-9 and Mazda MX-5.

The new Mazda2 sports sedan comes into the small passenger car market with an image that is sportier but still provides families with a car that responds better to the customer needs and requirements. In addition, the Mazda2 comes with innovative technology and stylish design that captivates all, whether standing still or in motion. With Mazda’s renowned suspension expertise, safety protection with 5-star Euro NCAP crash rating and the 103-hp MZR power plant that offers excellent performance across the engine speed range, the new Mazda2 sports sedan will surely capture the hearts of Thai car buyers.

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Mr. Kyoichi Tanada, president of Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd, Mr. Michihiko Sato, chief engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, and Mr. Wichien Emprasertsuk, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd, jointly introduced the New Vios…“Make It Happen” at the Renaissance Hotel on March 8, 2010.

The Road to Popularity

January 1997

In 1997 Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd wrote a new chapter in Thailand’s automobile industry by introducing the Soluna, the popular small car for Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region. The Soluna was developed by Thai and Japanese engineers with a goal of producing a small car that is economical and has high ownership value under the AFC (Affordable Family Car) project. After the Soluna was officially launched, it gained tremendous success within a short time, and sales amounted to 81,000 units.

Five years later, Toyota came back to write history again with the successor of the Soluna – the Soluna Vios. Totally redesigned from the ground up as a sub-compact sports sedan that answers to various customer requirements, the Soluna Vios became one of the most popular models in Thailand with accumulated sales of 180,000 units. It played an important role in helping Toyota maintain the leading position in Thailand’s passenger car and total automobile market, and was also exported to the Asean region.

The Soluna Vios was succeeded by the third generation car – the Vios. Originating in Thailand with the slogan “My Design, My Pride”, the Vios set a new benchmark in the sub-compact market with its modern appearance, excellent fuel economy, nimble handling, cabin comfort, world-class safety and a large number of functions that customers require. This made the Vios the new sub-compact car that is superior to others in the segment.

After the Vios was officially introduced in March 2007, a total of 144,000 units have been sold (March 2007 to February 2010).

The Vios is the highest-selling model in the Thai sub-compact segment and the total market, thus Toyota gave much priority to the development of the New Vios under the concept “Make It Happen”. Among the challenges faced by engineers during the development stage included styling, reaching global quality standards, outstanding performance and driving confidence from modern safety features, shows that the New Vios will be well-accepted and win the hearts of customers in Thailand and overseas.

New Vios

Exterior…a reflection of outstanding qualities and luxury
- New front grille with chrome strip is sporty and luxurious
- New multi-reflector tail lights blend in naturally and are bright and safe
- New chrome strip on boot lid is luxurious in every angle
- New 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/60R15 tires
- Front fog lights help improve visibility during rain or fog
- Sideview mirrors with turn indicator are both luxurious and increase safety

Interior…get carried away with the sports luxury cabin that combines modern design with convenience
- New metallic center console and door panel blends in perfectly
- Leather gearshift knob and chrome gearshift housing for elegance and luxury
- Leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with audio system control buttons for added convenience and safety
- MID (Multi-Information Display) shows important data such as total distance, fuel economy and average speed
- AUX in for MP3 players

Engine and suspension
- Unparalleled power delivery and fuel economy
 1NZ-FE DOHC 16-valve VVT-i
 Displacement 1,497cc
 Max power 80kW(109ps)/6,000rpm
 Max torque 141Nm/4,200rpm

- Superb handling and ride comfort with the front McPherson strut suspension with stabilizer in front and torsion beam suspension at the rear.

Active Safety
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) brakes prevent the wheels from locking during emergency braking or braking on slippery surfaces
- EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) helps maintain balanced pressure between each wheel in order to achieve best stopping performance
- BA (Brake Assist) maximizes braking pressure during emergency situation to minimize stopping distance

Passive Safety
- GOA safety construction with strong passenger cell helps increase impact absorption
- Energy-absorbing construction with front and side impact beams lowers impact force during crash
- Side impact head protection lowers impact to driver and front passenger during crash
- Front SRS airbags protect driver and front passenger
- WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) on front seats to lower neck injury sustained from rear-end crash
- Front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters keep occupants in place during accident and lower injuries sustained from seatbelts

A total of 7 unique colors to choose from
- Blackish Red Mica…New
- Light Blue Mica Metallic…New
- Super White
- Silver Metallic
- Medium Silver Metallic
- Black Mica
- Beige Metallic

A total of 8 models to choose from
- 1.5G Limited automatic
- 1.5G automatic
- 1.5ES automatic
- 1.5E automatic
- 1.5E manual
- 1.5J automatic
- 1.5J standard automatic
- 1.5J standard manual

Meet the official launch of the New Vios…Make It Happen
At 311 Toyota showrooms countrywide from today
and at the 31st Bangkok International Motor Show
from March 26 to April 6, 2010, at Bitec

Source : Pantip Ratchada

Mazda Commences Production of Mazda2 at New Passenger Car Plant in Thailand

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has commenced production of the Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) at the new passenger car plant at AutoAlliance Thailand Co., Ltd. (AAT), a joint venture manufacturing facility with Ford Motor Company. Mazda2 units produced at AAT will be sold mainly in the ASEAN markets.

To celebrate the start of production, AAT today held a ceremony at the new passenger car plant in Rayong’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate. The ceremony was attended by executive officers from Mazda’s head office in Japan, including Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Masazumi Wakayama and Managing Executive Officer Yuji Nakamine.

The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be one of Mazda’s core products in the ASEAN region, with ASEAN sales targeted at approximately 20,000 units per year.

“The Thai-produced Mazda2 will be a key element in Mazda’s future growth in the ASEAN region, which is continuing to see growing demand for small cars. We consider that the Mazda2 model will also play a pivotal role in Mazda’s global strategy,” said Mazda’s Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Masazumi Wakayama, before the ceremony.

“Since its launch, the Mazda2 has received more than 50 awards globally, including Car of the Year in over 20 countries. In 2008, Mazda2 was named World Car of the Year, acclaimed for its beautiful design, sporty driving performance, and outstanding eco-friendly features,” added Wakayama. “I firmly believe that the Mazda2 being built at our state-of-the-art facility in Thailand will make an immense contribution toward establishing the Mazda brand in ASEAN markets and will be our main driving force in the region as we go forward.”