Mazda3

Mazda3
Overview
ManufacturerMazda
Also calledMazda Axela (Japan and China, 2003–2019)[1]
Production2003[2]–present
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car (C)
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive[3]
Chronology
PredecessorMazda 323/Mazda Familia/Mazda Protegé

The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan (first three generations), a combination of "accelerate" and "excellent"[4]) is a compact car manufactured by Mazda. It was first introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, replacing the Familia/323/Protegé in the C-segment.

The second-generation Mazda3 for the 2009 model year was unveiled in late 2008, with the sedan premiering at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show. For the 2012 model year, Mazda began offering the Mazda3 with their newly developed Skyactiv technology, including a more rigid body, a new direct-injection engine, and a new 6-speed transmission.[5]

The third generation was introduced in mid-2013 as a 2014 model year. The third-generation model is the first Mazda3 to adopt the "Kodo" design language and a more complete Skyactiv range of technologies.

The fourth-generation Mazda3 for the 2019 model year was unveiled in November 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.[6] For the 2019 model, the all-new Mazda3 is equipped with the updated Skyactiv technologies, including a spark-controlled compression ignition engine marketed as the Skyactiv-X.[7][8]

A performance-oriented version of the Mazda3 was marketed until 2013 as the Mazdaspeed3 in North America, Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan, and the Mazda3 MPS in Europe and Australia.

The Mazda3 became one of Mazda's fastest-selling vehicles, with cumulative sales in January 2019 of over 6 million units.[7]

  1. ^ "【マツダ3 新型】丸本社長「全ての領域をしっかり磨いた」…新車名の他車種展開は未定". レスポンス（Response.jp）. 25 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Mazda begins production of fourth new generation product". media.ford.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Mazda 3[Axela] Japanese product page". Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  4. ^ "「アクセラ」が教習車に選ばれる理由とは？！その秘密にせまります！ - 【MAZDA】マツダ公式ブログ (Mazda Japan naming inspiration)". Zoom-Zoom Blog.
  5. ^ "Mazda Launches Second SkyActiv Model". mazda.com. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Mazda 3 (2019) : la nouvelle génération dévoilée au salon de Los Angeles". Auto moto. 28 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Mazda Reveals All-New Mazda3". mazda.com. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  8. ^ "The All-New Mazda3 Marks A New Era For Mazda". eurokarsgroup.com. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.