The automotive industry is one that contains several peaks and valleys and, more often than not, follows trends and examples set by various manufacturers. Among the recent strides many have chosen to pursue is the reduction of harmful emissions released into the earth’s atmosphere each year from the internal-combustion engine. To this end, many have implemented more hybrid and electric powertrains to accomplish this task, leading to several vehicles that no longer need fossil fuels to propel them.
Mazda is one of the manufacturers implementing new protocols and technology to meet this ecological need. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new model from the current lineup or concerned about the environment and want to know what the Japanese-based manufacturer is doing to take better care of the earth, then, by all means, read forward. Once you see their intentions’ good nature, you’ll wonder, “is there a used Mazda dealer near me?”
Putting Used to Good Use
For the past several years, one of the main global philosophies for being more responsible regarding the planet’s longevity has been found in the phrase “recycle, reduce, reuse.” By taking products made of plastics, metal, and glass and repurposing the items and materials for new products, we reduce the need for landfills and waste. Mazda has been no stranger to this concept, and one of its most recent vehicles has had recycling as a significant part of its ongoing production.
The Mazda MX-30, which sees the manufacturer entering the EV marketplace, is a new chapter for the manufacturer and a masterclass in repurposing materials for new use. Since 1992, Mazda has recycled well over 1.2 million bumpers from cars manufactured in Japan. This three-decade project has manifested within the MX-30, as many vehicles have been manufactured with this same recycled plastic. Always with a keen eye for innovation, the MX-30 is made from several different recycled materials, including the interior’s fabric and the cabin’s plastic molding.
This move by Mazda sets a bold new precedent for vehicles based on being more ecologically responsible. Utilizing recycled materials as well as an electric powertrain could be the first step toward a world where the environment is the main focus and not just performance.
Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom 2030 Vision
It’s been remarked before that goals are simply dreams that have deadlines. If that’s the case, then Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom 2030 deadline is a testament to the brand’s ambition to do its part to build a better tomorrow. The goal is much more than producing new EVs. It has been announced that Mazda will introduce thirteen new models between 2022 and 2025, including five hybrid-electric vehicles, five plug-in hybrid vehicles, and three electric vehicles. By 2030, Mazda plans to have its entire fleet electrified, with 25% of its fleet being completely electric. One of the driving forces behind Mazda’s grand initiative is built upon a three-tiered structure that consists of people, earth, and society.
People
Mazda looks to form a strong connection with its customer base. The connection is generated by utilizing technology and practices that will give consumers a deep feeling of satisfaction in knowing they are doing their part to help lower carbon footprints and emissions. By utilizing the technology that Mazda will offer, customers will help solidify the goals of ecological responsibility.
Earth
This part of Mazda’s initiative deals with a cohesive balance between the planet, the people who inhabit it, and the cars that they’ll be driving. The needs of the many will always outweigh the needs of the few. By implementing technology that takes better care of the earth, Mazda can better reach its desired end result: a better world for future generations.
Society
Because of the way society has expanded over the past few centuries, effective transportation has become a critical necessity for many. By providing unrestricted mobility for the masses, which allows the planet to sustain its existence, human progress can move forward and no longer pose a threat to the environment.
SKYACTIV-X
The longest journey begins with a single step. These steps are by far some of the most important. A significant move that Mazda has taken toward building a more sustainable future is the technology of its SKYACTIV-X motor. Mazda has always had a technique as well as in-depth research for perfecting its engines, but this might be one of the most impressive achievements in recent years. Known as the world’s first “compression ignition” engine, it’s designed to be one way that even gasoline-powered vehicles can do their part to lower emissions. Usually, the combination of air and fuel is ignited by the use of the engine’s spark plugs. The SKYACTIV-X engine completely bypasses this process and compresses the mixture inside the engine pistons. While this process is typically utilized in diesel-fueled engines, Mazda has harnessed this process for gasoline-powered ones. This will improve performance, improve fuel efficiency, and cause fewer emissions. It’s a major step towards the ultimate goals that Mazda has laid out for itself.
The Road to Zero
With their continued innovation and focus on a fully-electrified fleet, Mazda has taken it upon themselves to make other noticeable changes in their business practices and manufacturing to protect the environment better and set a better example for other manufacturers to follow. In what they call “the road to zero,” Mazda has been applying its practices in a variety of areas.
According to internal research by Mazda, in-house emission has been reduced by upwards of 40% through streamlining parts collection instead of relying upon the deliveries of the various production plants. The closest distance between two points is a straight line, which is that concept in action. Parts and manufacturing go hand-in-hand with one another, and Mazda has also opted to switch to a three-layer organic paint rather than an oil-based one. Mazda has taken part in research to find an alternative fuel source. One of the avenues that the brand has been exploring includes carbon-neutral fuels such as hydrogen, which will result in less deforestation and fuel that only releases carbon dioxide.
Looking Ahead to a Brighter Future
Usually, whenever a corporation announces plans to better itself and take a more active role in safeguarding the environment, the responses range from skeptical to apathetic. This reaction is primarily due to the fact that many businesses are in the business of making money. In the past, this has meant increasing profit margins at the expense of the earth’s natural resources, but not this time. Mazda has raised the stakes in terms of what titans of industry can accomplish when they step up to the plate and initiate changes for the benefit of the environment, the planet, and their customers.
Change can come in various forms, whether it’s setting sights on eliminating the internal-combustion engine from its fleet, implementing an ignition system that reduces emissions, or a comprehensive strategy that focuses its efforts across the full scope of the world and the people who populate it. In an industry where the best manufacturers lead by example, Mazda has shown that taking care of the world we live in should always be a priority. It should impact every aspect of a manufacturer and the practices they choose to implement.
