�Tis Official: Mazda to Stop Building the North American Mazda6 in the USA, Successor will Come from Japan

For better or for worse, depending on which side of the line you are standing on, Mazda has confirmed rumors that it will stop building the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International (AAI) plant in Michigan, which it runs jointly with Ford, after the mid-size sedan's current cycle ends.
The company said the Mazda6's replacement for the North American market will be produced at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, adding that the decision was driven by the firm�s �ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies�.

Report: Mazda to Cut Ties with Ford and Stop U.S. Production by 2013

Earlier in May, we told you about a report concerning Mazda�s plans to discontinue production of its Mazda6 mid-size model at its joint-venture plant with Ford in Michigan. Today, new reports from both Japan and the U.S. are claiming that Mazda Motors will dissolve its 50-50 joint venture with Ford and stop building cars in the USA by 2013, with the Japanese company already in talks with the Detroit automaker to sell its stake in their car production venture Auto Alliance International [AAI].

Mazda6 and Subaru Tribeca to be Axed, According to Report from Japan

Mazda and Subaru may soon be forced to axe two of their models in the US market, the Mazda6 mid-size vehicle and the Subaru Tribeca SUV, due to low volumes that undermine the efficiency of the U.S. plants that they are built in, according to a newspaper report from Japan�s business daily Nikkan Kogyo. It should be noted though that spokesmen for both companies declined to comment on the report.
Nikkan Kogyo wrote that Mazda is planning to discontinue production of the Mazda6 at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant, which it operates as a joint venture together with Ford Motor Co., as sales missed expectations. When Mazda introduce the latest generation of the mid-size model in 2008, the company expected an annual production of around 100,000 units, but last year, the plant churned out just 45,168 Mazda6s. In April, Mazda6 posted an increase of 7.8 percent but sales reached just 2,734 vehicles.

The list of the best cars for gays in 2008 included Nissan GT-R, Mazda6

Employees of the site Gaywheels.com (the portal positions itself as a "friendly homosexuals car site") each year to choose the best from their point of view of cars. In the list of most-entered those models, which are regarded as superior to visit, to travel to the club, selected the best updated versions of machines and other selected vehicles Portal founder Joe LaMuralya and two of his editor - Tralongo Joe Montana and Jos Velkort-al - Wye.

The list of the best cars for gays in 2008 included Nissan GT-R, Mazda6

NST-Maybank Cars, Bikes & Trucks (CBT) Car of the Year 2008: Mazda6 2.5L

The Mazda brand in Malaysia has undergone a revival yesterday, after clinching the coveted "Overall Car of the Year 2008" from New Straits Times' Cars, Bikes & Trucks.

The Mazda6 2.5 also came out tops in the Executive Car (below RM200,000) category. Bermaz Motors (the local Mazda distributor) has also added another feather to its cap when its roomy seven- seater Mazda CX9 won the �Best in Class� in the Premium SUV category.

This year's COTY judging panel is made up of 12 individuals, comprising senior Malaysian motoring journalists and professionals from the academic and medical fraternities, concurred unanimously to award the top accolade of �Overall Car of the Year� Award to the Mazda6 2.5 for maintaining a next to perfect balance between performance and comfort, two factors demanded by the Executive Car buyer.

Its build quality, power, interior comfort, handling, dashing good looks and attractive pricing were key criteria that earned the Mazda6 2.5 the top honours.

Being built on its own chassis has allowed the Mazda6 2.5 a sense of exclusivity that stays true to Mazda�s �Zoom Zoom� tagline. The Mazda6 2.5 proves to be a smart purchase as it offers CBU quality at CKD price. This is a rarity, but Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd has managed to do it.

The winners for the New Straits Times/Maybank 2008 Awards were announced at a gala dinner last night in Kuala Lumpur hosted by the New Straits Times and title sponsor Maybank Berhad.

The guest-of-honour for the night was Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Second Finance Minister.
Also gracing the ocassion was Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of the Automotive Association of Malaysia (AAM).

More details on the rest of the COTY 2008 winners later or go here: CBT COTY 2008