Honda’s recently-launched Japanese market Crossroad won’t be coming to the States. The Honda Crossroad has three rows of seats, and a little smaller than the Toyota RAV4, which means it’s too small for a three-row vehicle in the U.S.

“We have no need” to sell it abroad, said Motoatsu Shiraishi, president of Honda’s product development arm, Honda R&D Co. Shiraishi said that Honda already has the CR-V in the U.S. Despite not being available with a third row of seats, Honda President Takeo Fukui also says the CR-V can take on the RAV4.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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Mazda has revealed its newest Japanese kei car, the AZ-Wagon. The new AZ follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, and is a rebadged Suzuki Wagon R. Based on the Wagon R Stingray, the AZ-Wagon features a unique hood and bumper, which gives it a Scion xB-like look.

The AZ-Wagon comes in two versions with a Custom Style DI, with a 64-hp direct injection (DI) four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and the Custom Style X, with a 54-hp naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine. Both engines are only available with a 4-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

The AZ-Wagon comes with HID headlamps, black cloth interior, premium audio system (Custom Style DI model), and keyless entry and start.

Press release with additional details after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Back in December, we wondered what this car was, and then once we know we wondered by Honda brought a JDM car and a film crew to the States.

Thanks to Carscoop, we have the promotional video that Honda shot when it was in L.A. This is likely the last time we will talk about the Crossroad, unless rumors of a U.S. version of the Crossroad to replace the Element come true.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Carscoop ##

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Honda today officially announced the return of the Crossroad name with a new small CUV, which combines the size a car with three row seating. The Crossroad is targeted at youthful buyers that need the functionality of a minivan, but don’t want a minivan. Honda used the Crossroad in the early 1990s for its Honda-branded Land Rover Discovery.

The new Crossroad is available will 1.8L and 2.0L i-VTEC engines, which deliver 140-hp and 150-hp respectively, mated to a 5-speed automatic. The new Honda CUV comes standard with front-wheel drive, but can be ordered with all-wheel drive.

The Crossroad features a boxy, utilitarian exterior, which features thick pillars and a big fender flares. The Honda Crossroad goes on sale in Japan on Friday, February 23. Given how similar this is to the smaller Element, don’t expect to see this in the States

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Honda ##

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Nissan has announced that its factory Fairlady Z (350Z) race cars will now be powered by a stronger 4.5 L V8 engine, with the goal of returning to the series title in this years SUPER GT championship. Nissan’s 350Z race cars were powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L V6. Chassis changes and changes to other key components compliment the new V8 engine. The goal is to return the machines that won championships twice in the past three years to the winner’s circle.

Four teams will enter a total of five 350Zs in the nine-race 2007 Super GT Championship which kicks off at Suzuka on March 18.

Unfortunately, the V8 will not see its way into the production 350Z.

## Source: Nissan ##

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Mazda announced that sales of its CX-7 in Japan has far exceeded the automaker’s estimates in its first month on sale. Since its domestic launch on December 19, 2006, Mazda has received approximately 1,800 orders for the crossover during its first month of sales. It appears that Mazda underestimated demand — intentionally or not. Mazda has set a monthly target sales volume of 380 units.

Mazda’s monthly sales projection seems to be on the low side to us, but the actual sales number is still impressive.

Full press release after the the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Mazda has given the Carol — one of its micro-mini vehicles for the Japanese market — a fresh new look. The Carol is a popular model in Japan, especially with women, due to its charming design and practicality. The freshened version goes on sale nationwide at all Mazda Autozam, Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers.

The upgraded Carol features a revised front end, seats and door trim design, and also offers improved fuel economy.

More photos after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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The mystery vehicle that was snapped during a commercial shoot in downtown Los Angeles has been revealed to be a Honda. The vehicle in question is the Honda Crossroad, which will likely only be available in the Japenese domestic market.

We were fairly confident that the mystery vehicle was a Honda, but we thought it might be a new HR-V. The Crossroad and HR-V are smaller than a CR-V, but there is no news if it will replace the HR-V.

## Source: Hollywood Extra ##

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Earlier this week, Toyota announced a new premium compact hatchback called the Blade. Based on the new Auris, the Blade features a deeply sculpted, more aggressive front end. The Blade will be powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine mated to what Toyota is calling a Super CVT-i, which features a seven programmed speeds. The Blade will be available in front- and all-wheel drive versions.

The Toyota Blade will only be available in Japan, and will have a starting price of ¥2,247,000 (about $19,000 USD).

Toyota’s official press release after the jump.

## Source: Toyota ##

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Mazda today announced a special edition of the MX-5 Roadster for the Japanese domestic market. Called the Blaze Edition, the special MX-5 is outfitted with several model-specific interior and exterior features. The Blaze Edition soft-top model goes on sale from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan, with the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) version following in April 2007.

The Roadster Blaze Edition has been enhanced by the addition of special parts, including as forged alloy BBS wheels, clear markers and turn signals, chrome exterior trim, aluminum cabin accents, and a sand beige leather interior. The Blaze Edition is available in Radiant Ebony Mica or Highland Green Mica.

The Mazda Roadster Blaze Edition manufacturer’s suggested retail prices range from 2,840,000 yen to 3,135,000 yen depending on top and transmission. With the Pontiac Solstice passing the Miata in U.S. sales, maybe Mazda will consider bringing some special editions to the U.S.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Mazda Motor announced the launch of its new CX-7 crossover in the Japanese market. The CX-7 went on sale nationwide at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers. The concept for the CX-7 is a “sport crossover SUV”, fusing a sports car and SUV.

“The CX-7 exemplifies Mazda’s ‘Soul of a Sports car’ philosophy. It makes a clean break from conventional SUVs and, without doubt, it is a Zoom-Zoom vehicle, skillfully blending sports car verve with SUV practicality. The CX-7 brings together performance and design like never before, resulting in a vehicle that’s inviting to look at, entertaining to drive and fun to use,” said CX-7 Program Manager Shunsuke Kawasaki

The CX-7 was successfully launched in the North American market in the second half of May 2006, and has been praised for its refined styling and excellent performance.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Spy photographers caught this mystery vehicle during a commercial shoot in downtown Los Angeles. No one seems to know exactly what it is, but it is right-hand-drive and has Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicle stickers on the back hatch, which means the vehicle either meets or exceeds Japan’s 2010 fuel efficiency target and a star rating for emissions reduction versus 2000 levels.

Current votes cover nearly the entire automotive spectrum, including Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Kia, Mazda, and some more insane thoughts like a Volvo or Land Rover. The car features many styling cues seen on the current Element so many think it is the next-gen Element, but this too far along to be that car, which isn’t due for a redesign for a few more years.

Officially, we are waffling between a JDM Honda, possibly the HR-V, and the next-generation Nissan Cube. What do you think? Sound off in the comments

## Source: Autoblog ##

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Driven by high fuel prices, the market for kei cars is booming, and few automakers are benefiting from the upturn like Suzuki. Suzuki, the leader in Kei cars, has passed Honda, and taken third place behind Toyota and Nissan in Japanese domestic car and light commercial vehicle sales. Between January and October 2006, Suzuki outsold Honda by nearly 7000 units.

Despite the Japanese economic recovery, regular car sales are going down, but mini or kei cars are booming in Japan. With engines limited to 660 cc, low cost of around one million yen ($9,000) and government tax benefits, kei cars account for 35 percent of sales in Japan’s 6 million a year car market. Japanese people view cars as a normal commodity, and they do not want to pay more for larger, more luxurious cars.

## Source: Shiotsu via Autoblog ##

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Mazda announced that total production of the Mazda Demio — Mazda2 in overseas markets — passed the one million unit mark at the end of September 2006. Production of the Mazda Demio began in July 1996 ahead of the vehicle’s launch in August. The car has been built at Mazda’s Ujina Plant No. 1, which is located near the automaker’s headquarters in Hiroshima.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Spy photographers caught a prototype of the next-generation Mazda2. Based on the Ford Fiesta, mildly disguised prototype is sporting a lot of Mazda styling cues, including RX-8-like front fenders. While still a tall vehicle, the Mazda2 lost has some of the tall-wagon styling for a more classic hatchback look.

We don’t expect Mazda to bring its subcompact Mazda2 to the States.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

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