Story & photos by Patrick Tulfo
BERJAYA Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, has been known to spring surprises to unsuspecting members of the Motoring beat who attend their events.
A few months back, what was supposed to be a drive going South with its current offerings turned out to be a launch for the diesel variants of its beloved CX-5 SUV and the award-winning Mazda 6 sedan, much to the delight of those who attended the event.
They did it again, on September 6, when it invited the members of the Motoring beat for a thanksgiving party for being recognized by the respected J.D. Power Asia Pacific of achieving the highest ranking in the Customer Service Index in the country for 2016.
J.D. Power is a recognized global marketing, consumer intelligence, data and analytics company. It was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Costa Mesas, California, USA. It’s among the 25 top research country in the world and an acknowledge leader in automotive research.
In his speech, Loic Pean, senior manager of J.D. Power Asia Pacific, pointed out that Mazda topped all factors of the survey that they conducted among different car owners in the country, such as service quality, initiation, vehicle pickup, service facility and service advisor.
The company garnered the highest customer-satisfaction rating with an impressive score of 845 to win the award.
But the night wasn’t over yet, as after a sumptuous dinner, the main event of the evening was the launching of Mazda’s newest offering in the subcompact crossover market—the Mazda CX-3, which was unveiled ahead of the Sixth Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).
During his speech after the CX-3 was rolled out in a billow of smoke at the Whitespace pavilion on Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati City, Steven Tan, the amiable president and CEO of Berjaya Auto Philippines, said, “The new CX-3 is the most highly anticipated vehicle we have ever unveiled in the Philippine market.” He added, “Its stylish looks and unmatched performance and impeccable build quality make it a vehicle that only Mazda could have created. We are confident this crossover for the new generation will give its future owners an uncompromising and unfettered driving experience worthy of their active and expressive lifestyles.”
Indeed, the new CX-3 is a good-looking vehicle, as it looks like the smaller version of the CX-5. The signature KODO theme is written all over it from the front, such as the finely sculpted grille; an aggressively raked A-pillar together with the short overhangs; LED lighting assemblies, plus a floating roof sidelines that match perfectly with a blackout D-pillar. The result is a cross-over that looks as if it’s moving even when it’s standing still.
The interior follows the Jinba ittai, or the horse-and-rider design philosophy, wherein all the important controls of the vehicles are geared toward the driver. The MZD-connect infotainment system is carried over here, as well as the HUD, or heads-up display. The use of soft plastic for the panel provides an elegant touch, which is further enhanced by the leather seats with suede midsections and red stitching that is similar to the ones found on Ferrari sports cars.
Under the bonnet, the new CX-3 sports the 2-liter Sky-Activ Direct Injection gasoline engine that is rated at 148 horsepower and 192 N-m of torque that comes in as early as 2,800 rpm, paired with the six-speed Sky-Activ Drive automatic transmission, plus the relatively lightweight of the vehicle. This crossover promises to deliver a powerful acceleration and lively drive.
Meanwhile, another Mazda trademark, the i-Stop will make sure that it will deliver a double-digit fuel consumption in any driving condition. The new CX-3 is available in three variants and is currently displayed at the Mazda booth at the ongoing PIMS at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, which will run until the 18th.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo