NEXT PROGRAMME
Because Mazda isn’t a first-tier player in the Thai automotive industry, it is trying its best to bring the latest in car technology to Thai car buyers to help boost sales.
Speaking at a forum for Asean journalists in Japan last week, key executives of Mazda Motor Corp attributed the company’s sales growth — despite the overall slowdown in the Thai auto market — to models relevant to those sold elsewhere globally.
Key to its success is the decision to market products with “global specifications” rather than deploying lowcost, region-specific models, as how some rival brands do for emerging markets like that in Thailand.
Due to its comparatively small size in the global auto industry, Mazda is still making good use of the internal combustion engine with some innovative technologies like class-beating compression ratios to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
But as with other makers, Mazda is preparing to bring electrification to its cars. Although there’s a petrol-electric hybrid version of the 3 compact family car, its sales are restricted to the Japanese market. The electric system, nickel metalhydride batteries and CVT automatic transmission are sourced from Toyota, which used these bits for the outgoing third-gen Prius.
One executive said that the semielectric 3 will span out to other markets from 2018, the year the US will enforce stricter emissions for cars.
Although no specific plan has been earmarked for Thailand yet, there’s a good chance that Mazda will offer electrified cars. By that time, both the 3 and CX-5 SUV will be renewed in next-generation forms.
Rather than using the current 2.0-litre petrol-electric combo, Mazda is likely to employ a smaller, turbocharged version — developed in-house — additionally available with electric assistance and plug-in facility. This would help both the next-gen 3 and CX-5 in emitting no more than 100g/km of CO2 to enjoy the lowest in Thai excise taxation of 10%.
Pure electric power is also claimed to be on the cards, although it won’t appear any time soon in Thailand. The same source said that the country needs to clarify its position on renewable energy sources to revitalise batteries for electric vehicles.
“It’s not just about cutting [CO2] tailpipe emissions. [Mazda] is viewing the EV business case with reduction in well-to-wheel emissions, as well,” he said, implying that current state legislators in Thailand should focus on clean energy production rather than those reliant on fossil fuels.
A reference has also been made to the Laotian government whereby the landlocked Asean country could be a major source of renewable energy due to the Mekhong River running through it.