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Mazda CEO predicts record US sales in next 2 years

The recently appointed CEO of Mazda is apparently quite the optimist, claiming that the Japanese brand, renowned for its Zoom-Zoom driving character (and more recently its sleek, refined designs and Skyactiv efficiency), is claiming the company will record its best-ever US sales within the next two years. According to a report from Automotive News, Masamichi Kogai expects Mazda to move 400,000 of its Kodo-styled vehicles in the increasingly competitive US market by March 2016, with the recently launched Mazda3 leading the charge. "It will impacted considerably by the trend of the U.S. industry. But... it's my hope we achieve the record by that time," Kogai tells AN.
The brand is currently targeting 300,000 units by the end of this fiscal year in March 2014. Given that production and sales of the Mazda3 (and consumer awareness of the 2014 Mazda6) is still picking up steam, it isn't a stretch to imagine Mazda, which sold 240,000 vehicles from January to October of 2013, hitting its target.
Along with the overall increase in sales numbers, Kogai is expecting the independent brand to take an even larger slice of the US sales pie, claiming 2.5 percent US market share, improving from its current 1.9-percent foothold so far in 2013. "I think the upper limit may be 2.5 percent for the time being," Kogai told AN, before pointing out, "We don't want to use a lot of incentives. That is not the sales approach we aspire toward."

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year finalists announced [w/poll]

2012 is almost in the books and automakers are spending December gearing up for the 2013 auto show season, which tips off next month at the Detroit Auto Show. Traditionally, the latter opens up with the announcement of the North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards, and this year figures to be no different.
But up until this moment, we didn't know which six vehicles would be parked ahead of the stage as finalists, with executives and engineers waiting for the winners to be disclosed. Whittled down from October's "short list" of nominees (11 cars and 10 truck/utility vehicles), the finalists are as follows:
2013 North American Car of the Year:

Mazda's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit costs $199 plus labor

In relation to the rest of the market, Mazda was a bit behind with introducing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its model range, but it's trying to make up ground. But now, vehicles equipped with Mazda Connect from the 2014 model year and newer are eligible for a dealer-installed upgrade with smartphone integration capabilities. But it's not a free update. Mazda first introduced Carplay and Android Auto capabilities on the 2018 Mazda 6 and further extended the technology to the 2019 CX-9 and CX-5 utility vehicles. Now the company wants to make the smartphone interfaces available across the lineup. For $199, plus labor costs, owners can buy the upgrade. In addition to the updated Mazda Connect software, Mazda will also update hardware, including more powerful and faster-charging 2.1-amp USB ports. It is important to remember that Mazda's infotainment touchscreens do not function while driving, so even with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, functionality will run through the command knob, buttons, or voice commands. For those interested in the upgrade, it is recommended to schedule an appointment for the upfitting. The service will take approximately two hours.UPDATE: A previous version of this story mistakenly said that Mazda's infotainment systems are not touchscreens. This is incorrect. The story has been updated accordingly.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2018 Mazda6 Turbo first drive