Mazda was honored as a recipient of the inaugural “2013 Green Car Technology Award,” as presented by Green Car Journal. Announced during a press conference at the Washington Auto Show, Mazda’s SKYACTIV® Technology was selected among a list of 10 top automotive technology finalists. SKYACTIV is the brand’s all-new engineering approach toward increasing overall vehicle efficiency, performance and fuel economy, while reducing CO2 emissions.
Developed within Mazda Motor Corporation’s headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY consists of advanced engineering and manufacturing processes to produce redesigned lightweight yet stronger components in the form of engine, transmission, body and chassis structures.
“Since SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY was introduced into our model lineup last year, consumers and critics alike have been reporting positive real-world results on fuel economy as well as performance,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “Within the next two years, our goal is to increase our global fleet’s fuel economy by 30 percent when compared to our figures from 2008. SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY plays a major role in achieving this strategy, and will continue to be successfully implemented in all future Mazda products.”
The Green Car Technology Award honors an important enabling technology that is currently available to consumers in the United States. Technologies considered vary to include advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. According to the Green Car Journal, advanced technologies are key to the auto industry’s challenge of meeting a federally-mandated 54.5 mpg fleet-wide fuel economy by 2025 while decreasing petroleum use and CO2 emissions.
“The approach that Mazda is taking by incorporating its full suite of efficient SKYACTIV technologies in its all-new models is important,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher, Green Car Journal. “Optimizing the entire vehicle, from engine and transmission to chassis, body structure and all the components large and small that make up a modern vehicle is truly paramount. This holistic philosophy epitomizes the ideal in delivering the enabling technologies so important to creating the efficient, fun-to-drive models required for a more environmentally compatible driving future.”