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Mazda Picks Diesel over Hybrid

 
964 views Apr 7, 2009

2010 Mazda3 MPS

2010 Mazda3 MPS

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A while back we informed you that Mazda had no intentions of bringing a hybrid to the U.S. market, surprisingly, that info has not changed.  Instead of hybrids, Mazda announced that they will bring a diesel to the U.S. market.  What is Mazda thinking?

Mazda's senior vice president of research and development Robert Davis has this to say of hybrids, "When you're talking about 100,000 units in the U.S., it's difficult to bring that technology over and make it business viable."

Ford Motor Company has a small stake in Mazda, and Mazda would be able to borrow technology from Ford to make a hybrid vehicle.  Instead Mazda opts for diesel which sells in extremely low numbers in the U.S.

Would be diesel buyers still remember the racket, clouds of smoke, and stench of diesels made in the U.S. two decades ago and are unlikely to forget it anytime soon. 

Mazda's plans are quite shocking as most other automakers have put diesel plans for the U.S. market on hold to focus instead of hybrids and electric vehicles.

Automakers who have cancelled plans for diesels in the past year include Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Toyota, and in light trucks GM and Ford.

Only time will tell if Mazda is indeed making the right move.

Source:  Wards Auto





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Comments (3)

  1. By Dave Posted: 4/7/2009 11:57am PDT

    "I want diesels"

    The VW diesels are selling pretty well and I think people will be impressed with the economy and cleanliness of the current crop of cars. I'm old enough now to have owned cars for close to 20 years and I only vaguely remember the lousy diesels Detroit put out. Its like saying that people wouldn't buy today's clean gas powered cars because they remember, or even just heard about, the stinky smokey cars of the 50's and 60's.
     
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  2. By Eric Posted: 4/7/2009 4:08pm PDT

    "Response to Dave"

    There is truth in what you say and I do agree with you. However, statistics in the US show that buyers don't agree and don't want diesels. VW will introduce several hybrids in the next 2 years including a hybrid Jetta. The Jetta TDI is a great car, but may dissappear in a few years.
     
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  3. By jimmy Posted: 7/15/2010 2:16pm PDT

    eric is not in touch with the people my next car will be diesel, i want a focus or cruze but will have to buy v.w. since they are the only ones smart enough to sell diesels.
     
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