Apart from confirming the impending arrival of the new Mazda CX-9 and MX-5 RF, official Mazda distributor Bermaz has also affirmed plans to introduce the iconic Soul Red Metallic paint next year as an option its locally-assembled (CKD) models, the Mazda 3 and CX-5 – which were previously not offered with the colour. The 3 last had Soul Red on its palette when it was sold here as a fully-imported (CBU) model.
The reasons for the colours noticeable absence were varied, with paint supplier Nippon Paint’s assistant general manager for industrial use (IU) marketing Ong Eng Keong previously saying that the four-coat finish would have sapped too much productivity at the Inokom plant in Kulim – where Mazdas are assembled in Malaysia – to be viable for local production.
“As far as CKD [assembly] of Mazda is concerned, Soul Red was never a choice for them because of [the colour’s] four-coat system,” he said. “Having to coat four times would mean that you lose half of your productivity, because the car has to go to the oven three times.”
It seems, however, that Bermaz has managed to work around these issues, with a new paint shop being built at the Kulim plant specifically for Mazda vehicles. To facilitate the construction, Mazda production will be halted temporarily, and test runs of the new Soul Red hue will commence soon after its completion, before the colour is rolled out.
As usual, Soul Red Metallic will come as a cost option separate from other, more conventional colours. Although the exact premium has yet to have been finalised, expect it to be priced around the same as on certain CBU models like the Mazda 2 – around RM500.
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Worth the wait!
Meh… Nothing compares to my Orange Gen 2
Mazda3 is crampy car, C segment price car with B segment interior size
Nice to see Bermaz paying attention to the details.
Mazda cars are aesthetically beautiful and well built but the pricing is horrendous!
You can get them cheaper in Langkawi
You can get them cheaper in the United States
Worth it to pay it unless the power of Soul Red~ I will wait for that! before that I think if Mazda didn’t got the soul red for 3 den I will choose for Civic Turbo-P Pearl White.
I was about to get the 3 until I came to know it was not offered in Soul Red (for CKD). That colour is what make the car stand out and got me hooked! Now I have set my eyes on the Civic TC White, guess there is no turning back! Mazda should have introduced this from the beginning for CKD.
when is bloody bermaz finally going to give us a real, proper facelifted Mazda 6 2.0? Takkan update interior je bang oi!
That really is the facelifted model. The new look is only reserved for Mazda 6 models equipped with the LED headlights; those with the halogen headlights get the old front fascia. It’s the same thing everywhere else in the world.
Same thing everywhere else in the world eh?
http://www.mazda.com.sg/wp-content/plugins/pdf-viewer-for-wordpress/web/viewer-shortcode.php?file=http://www.mazda.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Mazda6_7Jan_brochure-export-2.pdf&settings=011000010&lang=en-US#page=&zoom=auto
https://revvvolution.com/2015/11/11/mazda-6-2-5-r-luxury-the-fantastic-six/
I didn’t have to go very far to fact check for you. Just googled what kind of specs the Singaporeans get on the Mazda6 2.0l. I repeat, TWO LITRE model. If they can get an Executive trim with LED headlights, why can’t we?
i prefer myvi’s apple green.
So the next question is, when will the M3 facelift be introduced?!
if it’s so troublesome, does that mean if there’s a need to repaint a big portion of the car, normal service centre will not get it correctly done?
Pity the owners of other colours. Bermas just admitted they sold you a cheap single layer paint job for your beloved car.
Mazda cars design never stands the test of time … Shiok at the beginning but never appeals after a few years unlike Honda and Toyota. After sales is still questionable and availability of parts just say after 10 years