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Full 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata pricing released

Take heart, roadster fans. The first 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miatas due for the US are now in production. To go along with that milestone, the Japanese automaker has finally released full pricing for the fourth-generation Miata. As previously revealed, the 2016 Miata in the base Sport trim starts at $24,915 (plus $820 destination), and for that outlay buyers get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque that's matched to a six-speed manual. The convertible comes standard with features like LED lighting and a Bluetooth-equipped audio system. For $1,075 more on all models, customers can spec a six-speed automatic gearbox, and keyless entry is another $130 but standard with the auto 'box. One rung up is the Club trim for $28,600, and it improves things with 17-inch wheels, a more aggressive body kit and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Order the manual trans, and the roadster gets a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers and a shock-tower brace. There's also a $3,400 package to make this version of the convertible even sportier with 17-inch BBS wheels, Brembo front brakes, side sill extensions and a rear bumper skirt. Among the regular trims, the top rung is the Grand Touring for $30,065 that adds luxuries like heated, leather seats, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive headlights. Mazda's i-Activesense is also standard and includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-departure warning. Finally, there's the Launch Edition, which is limited to 1,000 units, and it sells for $30,495 (or $31,570 for an automatic). All of them come in an exclusive combo of Soul Red with Sport Tan leather, and buyers get all of the Grand Touring's kit, plus standard keyless entry. The order site for these special roadsters opens on May 5, but hopefuls can pre-register now for a reminder. The first 2016 Miatas should hit dealers in late summer. That should provide some time for top down driving fun before it gets too cold. Related Video: U.S.-Bound 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Production Kicks Off Today - Mazda Also Announces U.S. Pricing for Entire MX-5 Lineup - IRVINE, Calif. (April 20, 2015) – The wait is almost over, as North America-bound 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata production began today, signaling the imminent arrival of the next generation of the world's most popular two-seat roadster at U.S. dealers.

Automakers want to stop the EPA's fuel economy rules change, and why that's a shortsighted move

With a Trump Administration looming, the EPA moved quickly after the election to propose finalizing future fuel economy rules last week. The auto industry doesn't like that (surprise), and has started making moves to stop the EPA. Ford CEO Mark Fields said he wanted to lobby Trump to lower the standards, and now the Auto Alliance, a manufacturer group, is saying it will join the fight against cleaner cars. The Alliance represents 12 automakers: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo. Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson for the Alliance, told Automotive News that the "EPA's sudden and controversial move to propose auto regulations eight months early - even after Congress warned agencies about taking such steps while political appointees were packing their bags - calls out for congressional action to pause this rulemaking until a thoughtful policy review can occur." The EPA was going to consider public comments through April 2017, but then said it would move the deadline to the end of December. That means that it can finalize the rules before President Obama leaves office. The director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, Jack Gillis, said on a conference call with reporters last week when the EPA originally announced its decision that it is unlikely that President Trump will be able to roll back these changes. Gillis also said on the same call that any attempt by the automakers to prevent these changes would be history repeating itself. "These are the same companies that fought airbags, and now promoting the fact that every car has multiple airbags," he said. "These are the same companies that fought the crash-test program, and now are promoting the crash-test ratings published by the government. So, it's clear that they're misperceiving the needs of the American consumer." There are more reasons the Allliance's pushback is flawed. Carol Lee Rawn, the transportation program director for Ceres, said on that call that the automotive industry is a global one, and many automakers are moving to global platforms to help them meet strict fuel economy rules around the world.

Mazda's first profit in five years in sight due to weak yen

Automotive News reports Mazda is set to turn a profit for the first time in five years. The automaker is more dependent on exports from Japan than other automakers based in that country, and as a result, it has long suffered at the hands of a strong yen. But the currency has declined in value by some 16 percent over the past six months and Mazda's shares have tripled in value to their highest level since 2008. Contrast this situation to a year ago when Mazda printed 1.22 billion new shares to raise cash. The move was equivalent to 70 percent of the company's then-outstanding stock, and values tumbled to record lows as a result.
Now that the yen has fallen to a value of around 96 per dollar, Mazda operations in the US are more profitable and the company now projects it will earn around $279 million for the next fiscal year. Automotive News says a one yen change against the dollar can have a 9.1 percent impact on Mazda operating profit compared to 4.7 percent at Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries or 3.1 percent at Toyota. Those automakers better insulate themselves from currency fluctuations with overseas manufacturing facilities.