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2016 Mazda6 gets a facelift in LA

The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show is a busy one for Mazda, as the Japanese brand shows off not only its all-new CX-3, but a facelifted Mazda6 sedan.
The 2016 sedan has been nipped and tucked to better fit in with newer members of the brand's range, including the aforementioned CX-3, as well as the Mazda3 and MX-5 Miata.
The grille's horizontal slats are now trimmed in chrome, while the brand's chrome wing motif on the fascia is larger and more prominent, particularly where it feeds into the headlights.

Mazda expands heritage parts program to include the iconic RX-7

Mazda has added two more cars to its heritage parts program. Joining the first-generation MX-5 Miata will be the second- and third-generation Mazda RX-7. It's something fans of Mazda's rotary sports car have demanded for years, and now Mazda is making good with its loyal fans. According to Japanese Nostalgic Car, the program was kicked off today in Japan with a list of 91 parts, 30 for the second-gen "FC3S" chassis and 61 for the third-gen "FD3S". The list is in Japanese and includes basic bits like bolts and washers, as well as vacuum hoses, seals, and bushings. Such rubber parts are typically the first to deteriorate with age and can be difficult to find in the aftermarket. There's even a throttle position sensor for the FD3S. Mazda says more parts will be added as time goes on. The MX-5 has a catalog of 1,100 parts, so there's room for the RX-7 program to grow. There's no word on whether the program will be expanded to full restoration, as Mazda does with the MX-5 or like the program Nissan announced last week for the Skyline GT-R. Mazda also offers the Miata parts in the United States, but it's unknown whether the remanufactured RX-7 parts will cross the Pacific. However, Japanese Nostalgic Car notes that there are 24,000 RX-7s registered in Japan. Sales of the premium sports car were a fraction of that of the Miata, so it would make financial sense to send some parts our way. The Mazda RX-7 was a flagship of the Mazda brand for decades before its discontinuation in 1995 (2002 in Japan). Though known for its commitment to lightness and stellar handling, it's centerpiece technology was Mazda's rotary engine, making it a unique entry in the sports car world. It also has a rich motorsports provenance, having won over 100 IMSA races. The FC3S was sold in the United States from 1986-92 and a favorite of early tuners and drift racers, which means many were destroyed, making good examples quite rare now. The 1993-95 FD3S, famed for its sequential turbo and stunning design, has been appreciating as a collectible classic in recent years. Looks like they might be a bit easier to restore now.

Mazda builds 4-millionth Mazda3

To say that the Mazda3 is a vital product for Mazda would be one heck of an understatement. In fact, the model line accounts for about 30 percent of the manufacturer's sales. Fortunately for Mazda, they're selling well.
These days, the Japanese automaker is building the Mazda3 (known domestically as the Axela) in Japan, China, Thailand and, as of last month, in Mexico. The company's expanded global production capacity has helped Mazda reach four million units of the Mazda3 sold around the world since the first model was introduced over ten and a half years ago.
Over the course of that decade since its introduction in June 2003, Mazda has gone through three generations of Mazda3, the newest model benefiting from the company's Skyactiv technology and even encompassing a hybrid model in the Japanese Domestic Market.