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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata in motion for the first time

By now, you've already poured over the details (however few there may be) and images of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. For us enthusiasts, it's arguably the most important new car debut of the year, and for Mazda, it marks the 25th anniversary of its iconic roadster - something that's being celebrated all weekend long out in Monterey, CA.
Our resident Miata owner, Chris Paukert, is out in sunny California and just passed along this video, showing all four generations of the MX-5 in motion (slowly), on the road at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. This is the first time the 2016 MX-5 has been shown driving under its own power, and it will join a wealth of other roadsters as Mazda attempts to break the world record for most Miatas in one place at one time.
Have a look at the emailed-from-an-iPhone-quality video above, and then take a moment to read Paukert's own notes from the ND Miata's live showing earlier this week, here.

Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes also under diesel emissions scrutiny

The controversy over Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal isn't limited to the US. In Europe, where diesel engines are far more popular, the issue is shining a harsh light on the NEDC emissions test. As already known, the evaluation does a poor job of reflecting real-world production of NOx, and it appears a significant number of automakers are affected. The Guardian in the UK has been reporting on real-world test results from a company called Emissions Analytics. After the latest round of checks, vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi were found to generate far more NOx than they should. The newspaper also published similar results for Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Fiat, Volvo, Jeep, Citroen, VW, and Audi. On average, the figures are about four times over the limit of producing the pollutant. Unlike VW and its defeat device, these automakers aren't actually breaking the rules. The vehicles perform up to the NEDC lab test for emissions, but those results simply aren't translated to the street. "The VW issue in the US was purely the trigger which threw light on a slightly different problem in the EU - widespread legal over-emissions," Nick Molden from Emissions Analytics said to The Guardian. A big fight to decide the future of this issue appears to be on the horizon. Automakers claim that they can't meet the next round of tightening emissions regulations and are asking for compromises. Although, spokespeople for Mercedes and Honda told The Guardian that the brands would be in favor of the stricter rules. Meanwhile, some European governments began backtracking their support of diesels well before this scandal came to light. The added scrutiny certain hasn't helped the future of the oil-burner. Related Video:

Mazda names new North American chief

Mazda has announced today the appointment of a new president and CEO of its North American operations. Jim O'Sullivan, who has been running the office for 13 years, is now leaving the company. In his place the head office has appointed veteran manager Masahiro Moro, and as you can see, he could not be more thrilled with the appointment. A 55-year-old native of Kyoto, Moro has been with Mazda since 1983. One of the company's managing executive officers, Moro currently heads up its global sales and marketing division. He also previously served as vice president of marketing and of product planning for Mazda Motor Europe, and as director of the company's Australian operations. He'll now be relocating with his wife and family to Southern California to take over the North American division based out of Irvine, effective January 1. His predecessor Jim O'Sullivan has held the office since 2003, also ranked as one of the Japanese automaker's managing executive officers. The Detroit native previously worked at Ford, where he started his career in 1976. "I have been very lucky that the car business has afforded me so many incredible experiences, and taught me so much. However, now is the right time for me to retire from Mazda," said the 40-year industry veteran of his departure from the company in the statement below. "I don't know how the next chapter in my life will read, but it's time for me to spend time with my wonderful wife, my children and my grandchildren. I've travelled the world for nearly 40 years, who knows what the future holds?" Related Video: Masahiro Moro Named President, Mazda North American Operations - Jim O'Sullivan, Current President, to Retire after 13 Years Leading the Company - IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced the appointment of Masahiro Moro to the position of President and CEO, MNAO. Moro, a Managing Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation, will take over from Jim O'Sullivan, the company's long-serving outgoing president, who will be retiring from the company. The changes were announced today to company employees, and will be effective January 1, 2016. O'Sullivan joined MNAO as President and CEO in 2003, and also held the title of Managing Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation.