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Mazda struggles to meet demand on rising sales

For Mazda there's good and not-so-good news on the heels of strong US sales in 2012: demand is high - especially for the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 - but supply is low, TheDetroitBureau.com reports. That's partly because all Mazda production happens in Japan, since it ended its alliance with Ford and pulled out of a joint venture with the blue oval building cars in suburban Detroit last year.
In 2012, Mazda sales here jumped 26.4 percent, but 2013 sales through August have just been keeping pace with the overall US auto industry, increasing at a rate of 6.8 percent. Mazda North American Operations director of marketing and communications Jeremy Barnes says that sales have slowed because the company is facing challenges delivering products here.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's trick roof will cost you at least $2,555 extra

Now that loyal customers have been given the opportunity to preorder the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, Mazda has finally announced pricing for the regular 2017 MX-5 RF lineup. The vehicle, with its gorgeous power retractable hardtop, will come in two trims – the MX-5 RF Club and Grand Touring when the vehicle goes on sale early next year. The MX-5 RF Club with the manual transmission is priced at $32,390, including $835 destination, which represents an additional $2,955 over a six-speed manual MX-5 Club with a soft top. An automatic is a $730 option for both RF and soft top Club models. The range-topping MX-5 RF Grand Touring trim will start at $33,455 with a six-speed manual transmission, which is $1,170 less than the Launch Edition's price tag of $34,685 and $2,555 more than a soft-top model. Opting for the automatic transmission on the Grand Touring trim bumps the price tag up to $34,660. The MX-5 RF models are similarly equipped to the soft-top models. The Club models benefit from cloth seats with red stitching, a limited-slip differential (when equipped with a manual transmission), suspension from Bilstein, and an optional Brembo brake and BBS wheel package for an extra $3,400. The more luxurious Grand Touring models get adaptive headlights, heated leather seats, and lane departure warning. The MX-5 RF models, just like the regular soft-top models, don't have many options. Hands-free keyless entry is a $130 option, while premium paint options, which includes Machine Gray Metallic (the same color on the Launch Edition) and Soul Red Metallic both cost $300. Crystal White Pearl Mica is only available on Grand Touring models and will cost an additional $200. Unlike the Launch Edition that was limited to only 1,000 units, there's no production limit on the regular MX-5 RF. Mazda will being delivering the MX-5 RF Launch Edition in February of 2017, with the standard MX-5 RF models following shortly after. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF View 15 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Mazda Mazda Convertible Lightweight Vehicles Performance pricing mazda mx-5 rf

2019 Mazda3 gets only two engines in U.S.; here are details on suspension, AWD

We learned a lot about the 2019 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan when it made its debut at the L.A. Auto Show. It will still have a manual transmission, it will offer all-wheel drive for the first time, and it's a stunner inside and out. But we still had questions about some of the details, so we spoke with folks from Mazda, including a couple of engineers for details on engines, suspension and drivetrains. First off, of the five engines announced for the Mazda3, just two of them are slated for the United States. At launch, the Mazda3 will be offered only with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It's mechanically pretty much the same as what you'll find in the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6. It even features cylinder deactivation. The only real difference between this engine, its predecessor, and the one in other Mazdas is some minor engine tuning tweaks. Power is almost the same with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, gains of 2 horsepower and 1 pound-foot. Fuel economy is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 36 on the highway, and 30 overall for front-wheel-drive models. We would expect the all-wheel-drive model to have slightly worse fuel economy simply due to extra weight and having to power two extra wheels. The Skyactiv-X engine will become available later in 2019. It will be rolled out in Europe first, with America coming after. When it does come here, it will be offered in states with stricter emissions regulations before coming to other states. While we're on the topic of engines, we also probed a bit about the possibility of the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine coming to the Mazda3. We did get the typical response of not being able to comment on future product. However, they did confirm that the turbocharged engine does in fact fit in the new Mazda3, since it and the naturally aspirated engine are very similar, and the naturally aspirated engine still uses an enormous header, meaning turbo plumbing wouldn't be an issue. Everyone we spoke with at Mazda did emphasize that they are listening closely to buyers, which is what led to the turbo engine being offered on the Mazda6 and CX-5, as well as the introduction of all-wheel-drive to the Mazda3. So, if you, like us, want to see the turbo engine added to the Mazda3, let the company know. They might just do it. Now as for drivetrains, the company is still deciding which trims and which combinations of engines will be offered.