New Mazda Museum opens in Germany with the vast majority of cars coming from one families private collection.

• First facility of its kind outside Japan opened to the public in Augsburg, Germany on the 13th
• With 45 classic Mazda vehicles, the museum features key models from Mazda’s history.
• The museum was created by local Mazda dealer Auto Frey.

Bringing alive the illustrious history of an unconventional carmaker from Hiroshima, the first Mazda museum in Europe – and indeed the only one outside Japan – opened on the 13th May in Augsburg, Germany.

Mazda Classic – Automobil Museum Frey, a project led by local Mazda dealer Auto Frey with the support of Mazda Germany, spotlights Mazda’s almost 100 years of defying convention. The centrepiece is an exhibit of 45 vehicles, which includes classic Mazdas officially sold in Europe as well as exceptionally rare models only available in other parts of the globe.

Models currently on display include a 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport, a 1969 Mazda Luce R130 and several generations of RX-7, plus with rarities like a rotary Parkway bus and even a rotary pick-up truck, Mazda’s rotary history features heavily.

However, the sheer breadth and variety of models on display demonstrates how Mazda has been combining innovative technology with stunning designs in the name of driving joy for nearly 100 years. Other highlights include a 1960 Mazda R360, the company’s first mass-produced passenger car, a 1962 Mazda K360 three-wheeled light truck, a 1966 Mazda Familia 1000 coupé, a 1976 Mazda 616 and the Mazda AZ-1, a distinctive mid-engined lightweight sports car from 1992.

Created from the personal passion of the owners of local Mazda dealer group Auto Frey, the museum is located in a stunningly refurbished tram depot dating from 1897. Located in the centre of the Bavarian town of Augsburg it is also equipped with an expansive event area, restaurant facilities and a gift shop.

Amazingly the 45 cars on display in the museum represent just a small proportion of the personal collection of the Frey family.

Mazda dealers since the late 70s, Walter Frey and his sons Markus and Joachim have personally restored many of the cars in the collection and travelled the world in search of rare classic Mazdas.

“Uniquely impressive, the first Mazda museum outside Japan represents a dream come true for the Frey family to share with the public its one-of-a-kind collection of vintage Mazdas from around the world,” commented Mazda Motor Corporation Executive Vice President Akira Marumoto. “Everyone at Mazda headquarters is very proud that the Freys are a part of our organisation and have created something so extraordinary.”

The selection will change continually, too, with additional gems from the Frey’s collection of 120-plus vehicles destined for rotation into the exhibit. Operators also hope the venue will become a hub for vintage Mazda club meetings and classic car events in general. Auto Frey has been a Mazda dealer since 1978 and currently operates three locations in the Augsburg area.

For more information, see: www.mazda-classic-frey.de/en.  

UK SALES MARCH - Mazda - The record month has given the brand a huge start to the year.

• Mazda UK has achieved its largest ever March retail sales volume.
• On-sale from 4^th March, demand for the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF exceeded expectations.
• Mazda Financial Services facilitated record finance levels for retail sales over the last financial year.

Mazda UK has achieved a record March of retail sales. With retail sales of 7,556, March 2017 has eclipsed the previous record of 7,496 in March 2010 when consumer sales were driven by the government scrappage scheme.

Having arrived in dealerships on the 4^th March, demand for the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF exceeded expectations, while equally strong sales for the MX-5 convertible proved the desirability of Mazda’s iconic sports car in this key spring sales month.

However, across all model lines Mazda’s strong performance with retail customers combined with on-target fleet sales meant that total March sales of 11,178 ended just a fraction shy of March 2016’s 11,499, which was the biggest ever sales month in the history of Mazda UK.

Commenting on the successful month Mazda’s Head of Retail Operations, Laura Brailey said “I’m delighted with our results in March; our strong sales performance in this crucial month has delivered a 68 per cent retail mix against an overall market that is 54 per cent retail. This retail success highlights the popularity of our award-winning range with consumers. And having arrived in dealerships at the start of the month, the all-new MazdaMX-5 RF is proving to be very popular with customers loving its unique styling and stunningly engineered roof. On top of that our SUV range continued to attract strong customer interest with the Mazda CX-3 performing ahead of our forecasts.”

Adding, “Mazda UK’s strong retail sales performance in such a competitive marketplace is a fantastic reflection of our stylish and great to drive model line-up but also the dedicated and passionate teams we have within Mazda UK and our 132 dealers, all of which are focused on our drive to deliver a first-class customer experience.”

As another indicator of Mazda’s strong performance in the consumer marketplace Mazda Financial Services provided a record £71m of finance on Mazda vehicles in March and £315m over the last 12 months. With the all-new Mazda CX-5 arriving in dealerships on the 30^th June, 2017 promises to be another great year for Mazda UK.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Mazda does the double with the MX-5 and CX-5 SUV.

• The Mazda MX-5 takes the Best Convertible title at 2017 What Car? Awards.
• 2.0-litre SE-L Nav Mazda MX-5 named Best Convertible Buy for under £25,000.
• Mazda CX-5 2.2 SKYACTIV-D 150 SE-L Nav wins Best Large SUV Buy for under £25,000

The Mazda MX-5 has started 2017 in winning form by taking the Best Convertible title at the annual What Car? Awards. In a year that will see the launch of the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF, the MX-5 convertible has won this prestigious accolade from Britain’s leading monthly car review magazine for the second year in succession.

The latest generation of Mazda’s iconic roadster was also named as the Best Convertible buy for under £25,000 at the annual awards ceremony. 

Commenting on its victory, What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford said,” despite facing new competition from the mechanically similar Fiat 124 Spider, the Mazda MX-5 has triumphed again. 

We love its rev-happy and punchy 2.0-litre engine, its simple mechanical roof and its temptingly low price. Even better, the MX-5’s ride and handling proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that less is more. Its lightweight chassis construction makes for a driving experience that’s guaranteed to brighten your day, and with surprisingly good fuel economy, this is a fun car that’s both cheap to buy and run.”   

The lightest MX-5 since the iconic original, the Mazda MX-5 is shorter, lower and wider than the Mk3 it replaced. With the smallest overhangs and lowest centre of gravity yet, its dynamic proportions and Mazda’s KODO: Soul of Motion styling reflects its focus on driving pleasure in an unmistakably contemporary and dynamic way. Featuring Mazda’s award-winning SKYACTIV technology, the MX-5’s ultra-efficient petrol engines and lightweight chassis ensure that agility and driver engagement is taken to a new level. With perfect 50:50 weight distribution and more technology than ever before, the MX-5 convertible has firmly re-established Mazda’s dominance of the affordable sports car sector.

Collecting the What Car? Award, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson said, “We’re delighted that What Car? has once again recognised the MX-5 convertible. This car is our brand icon and it embodies all that is great about our products. Its fun to drive character has strengthened the bond between Mazda and its customers for 25 years, and today it’s the ultimate example of how our SKYACTIV technology and KODO design philosophy help us deliver stylish, spirited and great to drive cars that have the love of driving at the heart of their appeal.”

Adding, “The latest MX-5 has already cemented its place in the hearts of driving enthusiasts and with the launch in March of the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF we are about to add another chapter to the success story of this amazing car.”

Ahead of the debut of the all-new Mazda CX-5 later this year, the current Mazda CX-5 has once again demonstrated its enduring appeal with both buyers and the media by taking top honours in What Car’s Best Buy for less than £25,000 Large SUV category. 

What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford commented that, “the Mazda CX-5 retains its crown because what you get here for your hard-earned cash is impressive.  We’re not just talking about the generous standard equipment though, there’s space and practicality, too. With a decent-sized boot and useful 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, the CX-5 can deal with all that family life can throw at it. The Mazda CX-5 is also one of the best handling large SUVs, while its lively engine impresses with enough performance to haul you along fully loaded. Finally, relatively cheap finance deals and competitive running costs keep it affordable.”

With 2017 What Car? awards for two of Mazda’s most successful vehicles to start the year, 2017 promises to be an exciting one for both these models as we await the launch of both the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF and the all-new Mazda CX-5.

Mazda launches a new Limited Edition (400 Units) MX-5 Arctic Special Edition.

• Set apart by its bright silver design cues the Mazda MX-5 Arctic is on sale from February 2017.
• Features Blue Reflex Metallic paint, plus high intensity silver wing mirrors and windscreen surround.
• Limited to just 400 cars the £20,995 MX-5 Arctic features enhanced standard equipment.

Mazda is hoping for things to turn a little Arctic this winter with the launch of the latest special edition version of the award-winning MX-5 convertible. On sale from February, the new Mazda MX-5 Arctic aims to brighten winter days with its free-of-charge Blue Reflex Metallic paint and contrasting bright silver design cues.

Based on the 1.5-litre 131ps SE-L Nav, the MX-5 Arctic’s striking silver details contrast attractively against the icy blue paint. 

With 16-inch Silver alloy wheels, a silver windscreen surround, silver wing mirrors and silver headrest hoops the Arctic has the distinctive look you’d expect of an MX-5 special edition and continues the trend of offering sports car customers a striking car at an affordable price.

Inside, the stand-out feel continues with silver cup holder rings and chrome scuff plates, while the upgraded equipment tally includes heated leather seats, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors. 

Limited to just 400 cars this UK exclusive special edition features a numbered limited edition badge on the dashboard.

The second MX-5 to wear the Arctic badge, the latest car revisits a name last used on the second-generation MX-5 in 2005. 

Available with 1.6i and 1.8i engines the original MX-5 Arctic was offered in a choice of Sunlight silver, Titanium grey or Razor Blue paint and the standard equipment tally included air conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, heated dark blue leather seats, blue door inserts and chrome detailing on the window mountings.

Commenting on the launch of the new MX-5 Arctic, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK said “We are delighted to offer another special version of the award-winning MX-5 convertible; we’ve had a long history of producing distinctive limited edition MX-5s that allow customers to drive a sports car with stand-out looks and enhanced standard equipment. 

The new MX-5 Arctic’s exclusive looks and great value mean it’s sure to be a popular choice when it arrives in dealerships early next year”.

USA - The Mazda MX-5 Miata takes the Best Convertible to buy award from The Car Connection.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been named the Best Convertible to Buy for 2017 by the editors of The Car Connection. The editorial team at the automotive news and vehicle reviews website agreed that the lightweight MX-5 roadster is a standout in its class, outperforming its competitors with a driving experience that only the world’s best-selling roadster can deliver.

“We’ve owned them, raced them, test-driven them. Year after year, the Mazda MX-5 Miata reminds us that less does indeed equal more,” said Marty Padgett, editorial director for Internet Brands Automotive, the parent company of The Car Connection. 

“It’s a welcome diversion from the horsepower arms race, with its light weight, sharp handling and stylish body. It’s the very essence of the classic two-seat sports car.”

The MX-5 embodies Mazda’s commitment to pure driving enjoyment and its spirit lives in every vehicle it sells. Earlier this year, the 2016 MX-5 was awarded as the first vehicle to ever win World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year in the same year. Globally, there have been more than one-million MX-5s built, speaking to the loyal following it has earned throughout the past three decades from daily drivers, to weekend warriors to racers to parent-child project cars, alike.

With a starting MSRP[1] of $24,915, the 2016 MX-5 Miata adopts Mazda’s full suite of SKYACTIV Technology and KODO—Soul of Motion design language. The pricing and packaging on one of the torchbearers for the Mazda brand provides owners with superb value at every price point, keeping the MX-5 Miata top-of-mind as one of the world’s most beloved convertibles. In 2017, the MX-5 family will grow with the inclusion of the MX-5 RF retractable fastback convertible.