Mazda CX-9 enters production

Mazda's new-generation CX-9 is now rolling down the production line at its Ujina Plant No 1 in Hiroshima.

Customer demand in the USA and Canada will be met first, but Australia will be one of the earliest markets to follow, when the seven-seat SUV arrives here by June.

Mazda anticipates 80 per cent of global CX-9 production will end up in North America. At Mazda's estimate of 50,000 units manufactured per annum, Australia's sales volumes could grow to as much as 10 per cent of capacity, based on 2015 sales of 3384 for the first-generation CX-9.

The engine plant at Hiroshima is building the 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G turbocharged four-cylinder on the same line as other, naturally-aspirated SKYACTIV engines, replacing the Ford-developed 3.7-litre V6 used previously.

Mazda claims the new CX-9 will be as much as 20 per cent more frugal than the first model, which used fuel at the rate of 11.0L/100km.