Mazda Demio zooms off with Car of the Year Japan award
The new Mazda Demio (Mazda2 outside Japan) has been named the 2014-2015 Car of the Year Japan by the Japan Car of the Year Committee, becoming the fifth Mazda model to drive away with this coveted award.
Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda Atenza (Mazda6) and Mazda Axela (Mazda3), the Demio is the fourth in Mazda's line-up of new-generation models that adopt the full range of Skyactiv technology and the “KODO – Soul of Motion” design language.
“Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the company’s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda Demio,” the company said in a statement. “These include an ideal driving position and pedal layout, a human-machine Interface that prioritises safety, sophisticated and high-quality interior and exterior styling, and a newly developed Skyactiv technology which offers maximum power and outstanding fuel efficiency.”
All passenger vehicles with an expected annual sales volume of more than 500, announced or launched in Japan between November 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, were eligible for this year’s Car of the Year award. The last Mazda to bag the rating was the Mazda CX-5 in 2012.
“We are both honoured and grateful that the Mazda Demio has received such a prestigious award,” Mazda's president and CEO Masamichi Kogai said. “This result is thanks to the enthusiastic support of all people who love cars. Inspired by this award, we will continue our quest to build cars that add a certain sparkle to the lives of their owners, and aim to become the one and only brand chosen by customers again and again.”
Meanwhile, Mazda Motor Corporation announced that production of the all-new Mazda2 has begun at its Thai production facility, Auto Alliance (Thailand). The all-new Mazda2 currently being produced at AAT is bound for Australia.
AAT will also produce the all-new Mazda2 for Asean countries and other markets in Oceania. Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation, Mazda’s new plant in Mexico, will begin producing the model soon, consolidating a global supply system.
“It is a huge and challenging task to start production of a new model at three different plants around the world in such quick succession,” Kogai said. “We call the Hofu Plant in Japan our ‘mother plant’, and we are committed to ensuring that vehicles produced in Thailand and Mexico for our customers around the world are built to the same high quality standards as those in Japan.”
AAT is the second facility to start production of the all-new Mazda2, following the Hofu Plant where production began in July. AAT began manufacturing the Mazda2 in September 2009 and as of July 2014 had produced 182,663 of the model.
