Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a world-first catalyst for cars that use single-nanotechnology to create a catalyst material structure which substantially reduces the amount of precious metals that are used, such as platinum and palladium.

The new development enables Mazda to reduce the amount of platinum and palladium used in automotive catalysts by 70 to 90 percent. This does not result in any changes in the performance of purifying gas emissions and maintains the high durability of conventional catalysts. Single-nanotechnology is a technology that can control even smaller particles than nanotechnology.

In automotive catalysts, precious metals promote the exhaust gas purifying reactions on their surfaces. In conventional catalysts, the precious metals are adhered to a base material. Exposure to exhaust gas heat causes the precious metal to agglomerate into larger particles. This reduces the catalyst’s effective surface area and catalytic activity, which requires the use of a significant amount of precious metals to counter and maintain an efficient purification performance.

The world’s first biofabric made with completely plant-derived fibers, suitable for use in vehicle interiors, has been developed by Mazda Motor Corporation in collaboration with Teijin Limited and Teijin Fibers Limited. This newly developed biofabric does not contain any oil-based materials, yet it possesses the quality and durability required for use in vehicle seat covers. Resistant to abrasion and damage from sunlight, in addition to being flame retardant, the new biofabric meets the highest quality standards. Based on this biotechnology, Mazda will strengthen its future research and development on non-food-based materials in consideration of the impact such technologies have on food supplies. Mazda plans to use the biofabric for the seat covers and door trim in the all-new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid that will be exhibited in October at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007. The all-new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will also feature a bioplastic, which Mazda developed in 2006, in the vehicle’s instrument panel and other interior fittings.

All of Mazda’s biomaterials fall under the “Mazda Biotechmaterial” brand name. Mazda is dedicated to continuing its research and development efforts for these environmentally friendly technologies which will help to realize a sustainable society in the future.

An SUV with Zoom-Zoom and protection. The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7 sport utility vehicles (SUV) recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crashes by the governments’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, both the CX-9 and CX-7 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9 or the CX-7.

“This is a true testament to Mazda’s advanced safety engineering that both CX-9 and CX-7 received the highest safety honors,” said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “While other companies can certainly build safe vehicles, we’re the only company that delivers that safety with a healthy dose of Zoom-Zoom in every car and SUV.”

For its frontal testing, the NHTSA places dummies in a vehicle and crashes it into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy’s head, chest and legs. In the side impact test, a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.

COBB Tuning is proud to announce the release of its Sport Springs for the 2007 MazdaSpeed3. Direct replacement for the factory springs, and designed to work with the factory struts, the COBB Sports Springs reduce the ride height by 1.0” Front and 1.0” Rear. The result is improved road handling and reduced body roll. Precision CNC cold wound high quality Chrome Silicon steel construction. The springs are powdercoated COBB Blue in a unique process for protection against the elements. Spring rates are approximately +15% for the front and +25% for the rear over stock which, results in a sporty feel without being unnecessarily harsh or bouncy. The factory springs are actually too soft for the stock struts, much less uprated aftermarket replacements, to work optimally. Our final spring rates are the result of extensive real-world and road course testing.

Starting today, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) will help Internet-savvy car buyers get one step closer to sliding into the driver’s seat of a new Mazda vehicle – without ever leaving their home or office.

The Mazda Shopping Assistant program is the first in the industry to provide potential buyers with an actual quote – from the customer’s choice of dealer – of the vehicle they’ve chosen, as opposed to other manufacturers’ programs that simply offer the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).

Through links on the http://www.MazdaUSA.com Web site, the new Mazda Shopping Assistant (MSA) program connects consumers with Mazda Personal Shoppers who can answer specific product questions and provide personalized shopping experiences through live Web-chat sessions. Through the help of these in-house Mazda employees, buyers can configure a vehicle, select a dealership, search vehicle inventory, acquire an actual dealer quote, schedule a sales appointment and get information about financing for the Mazda vehicle of their dreams. Once a price is agreed upon between the customer and the dealer, the Personal Shopper arranges an appointment time at the dealership for final paperwork to be signed and the vehicle to be delivered.

On May 30, 1967, Mazda launched the world’s first twin-rotor rotary engined car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport. Today, 40 years to-the-date later, the company celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Mazda rotary engine. In the years between, Mazda has produced nearly two million vehicles powered by the rotary engine. “Only Mazda – a company with a laser-like focus on vehicle development and engineering success – would have had the perseverance and unwavering spirit to pursue the rotary engine,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “From humble beginnings in the 1950s to a very bright hydrogen-fueled future, the rotary engine represents Mazda as a company that follows the road less traveled, and makes its own successes where others have failed.”

IRVINE, Calif. – The upcoming Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of the top-down summer driving season. To celebrate, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), maker of the MX-5 Miata – the world’s best-selling convertible sports car, and the only optional power-retractable hard top that takes up no trunk space – wants to make sure convertible drivers across the country enjoy their vehicles, but do it safely at the same time.
“With over 800,000 sold, the MX-5 Miata is the best selling convertible sports car in the world, so if anybody has the authority to speak on behalf of top-down, wind-in-your-hair, sun-on-your-face driving fun, it’s Mazda,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of MNAO. “With Memorial Day weekend coming fast, summer road-trips can’t be far behind. But before you hit the road, remember these time-honored road-tips.”

Mazda Motor Corporation today held a rollout ceremony for the all-new Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) at its Ujina Plant No.1 (U1) near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima. Approximately 550 people, including Mazda’s Executive Vice President, Robert J. Graziano, together with other Mazda executive officers, union representatives and employees, gathered to celebrate the start of new Mazda2 production. The first car to come off the line is bound for the Japanese market, with sales due to commence in summer 2007.

Mr. Graziano greeted the attendees, saying, “The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda’s new generation products to evolve to the next stage. While the current model was intended for the domestic market, the new model has been developed into a globally competitive car. I wish to congratulate you all on your hard work, which has now successfully brought us to the start of full mass production. I am convinced that the all-new Mazda2 will capture the hearts of our customers and demonstrate to drivers the world over that, ‘Mazda vehicles look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.’ The new Mazda2 offers an exhilarating driving experience that is the soul of Zoom-Zoom and we will continue to build cars with the strong understanding that safety and environmental friendliness are a vital part of making cars fun-to-drive.”