1

Memo 

To: Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0472 

From: Joseph McDonald, U.S. EPA-OTAQ-ASD 

CC: Ed Nam, U.S. EPA-OTAQ-ASD 

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 

Re: Mazda Curb-weight Reduction 

The attached Mazda press release describes Mazda’s intent to reduce the curb-weight of it’s 2011 and 

later passenger cars by 100 kg or more. 
HOME > News Releases

News Release 2008/06/23

Mazda to cut vehicle fuel consumption 30 percent by 2015

- By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup.- Through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms, aim to

reduce the weight of new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more, from 2011.

- Unique Smart Idle Stop System to be introduced in 2009 with fast, quiet restart.- Mazda to introduce a more advanced version of the unique Three Layer Wet

Paint System in 2009.

- Mazda aims to have carbon neutral bioplastics ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sightson reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30percent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach whichincludes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda’s gasolineengines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and newdiesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrainlineup and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generationplatforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more.Mazda is driven by its long-term vision to provide all its customers with first-rateenvironmental and safety features as well as driving pleasure. This means that Mazdaowners are assured of driving cars that continue to provide the fun-to-drive feeling that willkeep them coming back for more, while still having the peace of mind that their Mazda isenvironmentally-friendly and safe to drive.

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But, this focus on the environment is not a new concept for Mazda. In the seven yearsfrom 2001 to 2008, the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold in the Japanesemarket increased by approximately 30 percent. In 1991, the company embarked on along-term project to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen technology, therebyparticipating in the search for sustainable transportation solutions, which still continuestoday.Mazda saw its hydrogen powertrain efforts progress positively forward in June 2008 whenthe Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid received the green light from the Japanese governmentto begin testing on public roads. The Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid (known as thePremacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan) offers 40 percent more power and an extendedhydrogen driving range of 200 kilometers. It will be available for commercial lease inJapan during the 2008 fiscal year. And, Mazda is already progressing well with thedevelopment of an all-new Hydrogen RE vehicle with dynamic performance equivalent to a3.0-liter gasoline engine and a hydrogen range of 400 kilometers.The next technological milestone for Mazda will be the introduction of the mass productionversion of its proprietary Smart Idle Stop System into one of its cars in 2009.Mazda’s is the only idle stop system in the world that restarts the engine from idle byinjecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down, enabling afast and quiet restart as well as an improvement in fuel economy by up to seven-to-eightpercent. Demonstrating the extent of Mazda’s flexible R&D capability in developingalternative environmentally-friendly technologies, the system will initially appear in Japanand Europe; however, it will be rolled out worldwide.Mazda’s future powertrain line-up has much to excite current and future Mazda customers.In 2009, an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine will be introduced into the NorthernEuropean and North American markets. From 2011 onwards, with new gasoline engineswill incorporate next generation Direct Injection Spark Ignition and other systems to boostpower by 15 to 20 percent and improve fuel economy by approximately 20 percent.Beginning in 2011, Mazda plans to introduce new diesel engines worldwide that meet thestrictest future exhaust gas regulations in each market. These engines will feature nextgeneration direct injection technology, turbocharging systems and NOx reductiontechnology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 percent and produce cleaner exhaust

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A fundamental part of Mazda’s heritage, the gasoline rotary engine, will be substantially

upgraded in the early 2010s. Currently referred to as the 16X, the next rotary engine willoffer substantially improved performance and economy through use of Direct InjectionSpark Ignition and high-speed combustion technology, enfolded in new rotary dimensions.Mazda’s environmental efforts are not only focused on its cars. The plants in which theyare built have also received a lot of attention to ensure that they contribute to asustainable future.In FY2007, the volume of CO2 emissions from production activities in Japan was reducedby 15.4 percent compared to FY1990 levels. Expressed as CO2 emissions volume perunit of revenue, the reduction was 24 percent.In 2005, Mazda was the first auto manufacturer to introduce a Three Layer Wet PaintSystem which reduces VOC emissions by 45 percent and CO2 emissions by 15 percent.Mazda now plans to introduce a more advanced version of this unique Paint System in2009 as it finalizes the development of an innovative water-based paint technology thatreduces VOC emissions by a further 57 percent without increasing CO2 emissions.Producing around 25 percent fewer CO2 emissions than common water-based paint, thisnew technology is intended to make Mazda’s paint shops the cleanest in the world.Mazda is also making itself known in the area of carbon neutral bioplastics. Developed incollaboration with government, industry and academia, Mazda intends to expand theapplications of this new source of eco-friendly material. Already, bioplastics are used inthe new Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and, in June 2008, Mazda commenced the MazdaBioplastic Project to develop a bioplastic made from non-food-based cellulosic biomass.The project aims to have the bioplastic ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

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