Mazda to produce more Skyactiv engines, may launch diesels in PH

Mazda’s Skyactiv engine range has been successful in boosting the company’s sales, with the high-compression engines helping deliver stellar fuel economy and performance. One missing element in the Philippine market is the impressive Skyactiv-D diesel engine. Local distributor Berjaya Auto Philippines is studying the possibility of launching diesel variants here. With Volkswagen set to stir up the market with an all-diesel lineup, we think no carmaker can afford to ignore diesel for much longer.

Here’s more from Mazda Motors: Mazda Motor Corporation is set to increase the production capacity of its highly acclaimed Skyactiv-G gasoline engines and Skyactiv-D diesel engines. From the current annual run of 800,000 Skyactiv engines at its Hiroshima Plant, the Japanese company is targeting to boost its total Skyactiv engine production to 1,000,000 units by the end of 2014. This is in response to the strong global sales of Skyactiv technology-equipped Mazda vehicles.

To achieve this target, a new, highly adaptable engine machining line will be added at the current engine plant. Moreover, the current assembly line, which currently churns out Mazda’s MZR mid-sized inline four-cylinder engines, will be refurbished to accommodate a mixed run with the new Skyactiv engines.

“Sales of Skyactiv vehicles are increasing in markets around the globe and the decision to increase production capacity was made to further strengthen our supply system,” says Kiyotaka Shobuda, Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer in charge of Global Production and Global Business Logistics and General Manager of Production Engineering Division. He adds, “Mazda wants people around the world to experience for themselves the combination of driving pleasure, fuel efficiency and safety performance that Skyactiv offers, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to deliver Skyactiv vehicles to as many customers as possible, as quickly as possible.”

Skyactiv technology is Mazda’s solution to the perennial problem of combining an exhilarating drive with exceptional environmental and safety performance. As part of its long-term ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ plan for technology development, Skyactiv’s new and innovative technologies aim to provide outstanding fuel economy and uncompromised driving pleasure. Through Skyactiv technology, Mazda continues to enhance existing internal combustion engine technology, optimize transmission response, lighten and strengthen body construction, and sharpen chassis and suspension performance, to meets its commitment to make cars that are efficient, fun and inviting to drive.

Berjaya Auto Philippines, the local distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, currently offers the Mazda CX-5 and the new Mazda 6 which both champion the full complement of Skyactiv technologies. “We are proud to deliver to Filipinos the best driving and sustainable fuel efficiency solutions as only Mazda’s Skyactiv technology can deliver,” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines and BAP. He maintains, “With the fuel efficiency afforded by the new-generation Mazda Skyactiv technology, we will continue to give Filipinos an exciting range of vehicles without compromising the way they enjoy their cars because this is the Mazda way.”

Close to a thousand Skyactiv Mazda vehicles now ply the country’s roads since the first full Skyactiv vehicle, the CX-5 Compact Crossover SUV, was launched locally last year. The very versatile and fuel-efficient SUV accounts for almost 90% of Skyactiv model sales with the rest of the numbers filled up by the equally fuel-efficient and undeniably stunning all-new Mazda 6 executive sedan.

Both the Mazda 6 and the CX-5, which feature the latest Mazda Skyactiv technologies, are available in all of Mazda Philippines’s 14 dealerships: Mazda Greenhills (along EDSA), Mazda Pasig (along C5), Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda Makati (along Pasong Tamo Extension) and Mazda Alabang in Metro Manila; as well as provincial dealerships in Pampanga, Pangasinan (Dagupan), Nueva Ecija (Cabanatuan), Batangas, Cebu, Cavite, Iloilo, Tarlac and Cagayan de Oro.