Production of the new Mazda MX-5 has started in Japan, where official sales will begin in June. The two-seat lightweight drop-top is built at the Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima, with the first models destined for the home market, where it’s badged as the Mazda Roadster (as it always has been).
The MX-5 will be imported to other markets in the second half of 2015. Malaysia seems to be quite high up on the list, as a Bermaz source has informed us that the roadster will arrive here as soon as September. It’ll be an auto-only affair, however, which is not very surprising as manual buyers, even for cars such as this or and the Toyota 86, is a rare breed in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) boss Sergio Marchionne has recently confirmed that there will be a new Fiat 124 Spider, based on the Mazda MX-5. This is the continuation of the Alfa Romeo-Mazda deal made earlier, which has since been altered as Alfa has decided to make a new roadster on its own.
Set for a 2016 debut, the new Fiat 124 Spider will revive the name last used in 1980. Fiat’s most recent roadster is the 1995-2005 Barchetta, though that had a front-wheel drive layout. The MX-5-based 124 Spider should get a variation of FCA’s 1.4 litre MultiAir turbo engine, likely with more power than the Mazda’s 129 hp 1.5 litre SkyActiv-G mill.
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Mazda letting Fiat cannibalise their mx-5 sales?
mazda is clever. by letting fiat sell the same car under same badge, they are actually selling more units as Fiat will be paying mazda license to manufacture (like Inokom does to Hyundai, or Naza to Kia)
get it?