Mazda bets on fuel, not EV
Source: Agencies |
July 1, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MAZDA'S president believes gasoline engines will still power 80 to 90 percent of the world's autos even in 20 years time, and remains confident it can grow without electric vehicles.
The comments from Mazda Motor Corp President Takashi Yamanouchi yesterday contrast with the strategy at Japanese rival Nissan Motor Co, which is banking on its Leaf electric car, one of the first mass-produced EVs on the market.
Yamanouchi said Mazda's efficient gas engine called "Skyactiv" will be a pillar of its growth strategy as the Hiroshima-based manufacturer seeks to boost sales in emerging markets, where electric vehicles and hybrids aren't expected to be as popular as in developed nations.
"Skyactiv will be one of the drivers of our growth," Yamanouchi told reporters at a Tokyo hotel, where Mazda showed a new subcompact.
Mazda has no hybrid vehicle in its lineup, but plans to start selling these by 2013.
Hybrids still require gas engines, and Yamanouchi said they can be counted as part of what will be the 80 or 90 percent of cars that aren't electric. Nissan has sold about 8,000 of its Leaf electric vehicles around the world, more than half in Japan, since its gradual global rollout started in December. That's a tiny fraction of the world auto market.
Mazda began selling the Demio, known as Mazda2 overseas, in Japan yesterday, offering a version packed with Skyactiv technology. It is targeting 6,000 overall Demio sales a month.
Mazda said it was not planning to sell the Skyactiv Demio overseas, but was planning the green technology for bigger models.
The comments from Mazda Motor Corp President Takashi Yamanouchi yesterday contrast with the strategy at Japanese rival Nissan Motor Co, which is banking on its Leaf electric car, one of the first mass-produced EVs on the market.
Yamanouchi said Mazda's efficient gas engine called "Skyactiv" will be a pillar of its growth strategy as the Hiroshima-based manufacturer seeks to boost sales in emerging markets, where electric vehicles and hybrids aren't expected to be as popular as in developed nations.
"Skyactiv will be one of the drivers of our growth," Yamanouchi told reporters at a Tokyo hotel, where Mazda showed a new subcompact.
Mazda has no hybrid vehicle in its lineup, but plans to start selling these by 2013.
Hybrids still require gas engines, and Yamanouchi said they can be counted as part of what will be the 80 or 90 percent of cars that aren't electric. Nissan has sold about 8,000 of its Leaf electric vehicles around the world, more than half in Japan, since its gradual global rollout started in December. That's a tiny fraction of the world auto market.
Mazda began selling the Demio, known as Mazda2 overseas, in Japan yesterday, offering a version packed with Skyactiv technology. It is targeting 6,000 overall Demio sales a month.
Mazda said it was not planning to sell the Skyactiv Demio overseas, but was planning the green technology for bigger models.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
