Franchise holder to strengthen Mazda brand at the Grand Prix

KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, the franchise holder for the Mazda brand in Malaysia, sees motorsports as a highly effective platform to build brand awareness, said marketing manager Shahidin Sahamid.

The company is currently working with the Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC), which operates the Sepang race track, to co-promote this year’s Formula One (F1) Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.

“We are looking at new ways to expose the Mazda brand to Malaysians and F1 is something that needs no introduction,” Shahidin told StarBiz at a F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix roadshow recently.

“To be associated with F1 gives us a lot of exposure. It’s all about speed and excitement and the Mazda RX-8 is the right car for this contest,” Shahidin said, adding that the company might consider other forms of motorsports as a platform to leverage its brand.

“We are studying and looking at those opportunities,” he said.

Bermas is offering purchasers of this year’s Malaysian F1 tickets a chance to win a Mazda RX-8.

Only those who buy the tickets at the roadshows are entitled to win.

Auto sales this year were likely to be slow down due to the economic slump, Shahidin said, adding that the tightening of credit facilities by banks would also add to weakening sales.

“But we feel that Malaysians love cars and they will find the first opportunity to buy cars when things ease up,” he said.

Bermaz acquired Mazda distribution rights from Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd in April 2008.

Since then, the company has sold about 1,000 units. Its best sellers are the Mazda CX9 and Mazda 6 models.

Shahidin said it was difficult to forecast how many units it expected to sell in 2009, given the tough economic conditions, adding that the company planned to launch two or three new models this year.

“We’ve got new models coming and I think it should give the Mazda 6 a run for its money,” he said.

The next F1 road shows will be held at Highway Auto City and Gurney Plaza, Penang from Mar 6-8 and One Utama, Petaling Jaya from Mar 25-29. Malaysia will host the second round of the 2009 F1 World Championship from Apr 3 to 5.

CBU Japan -NEW 2008-

RENESIS Rotary Engine, 2-Rotor, Water-Cooled

Exterior

Electric Sunroof
Power adjustable side mirror
Original green-tinted glass with UV-shield

Interior

Colour-coordinated leather seats
Power adjustable driver seat with memory
Leather Steering wheel and gear knob
Multifunction steering wheel
Paddle shifters & Carpet Mats
9 Speaker Bose Audio system with MP3
6-Disc in-dash CD changer
Cruise control with steering mounted switches
Power windows

Safety and Security

8 airbags (Front Pillar x2, Front Side x2, Side x2 & C-Pillar x2)
4 wheel ABS with EBD, BA, DSC
Remote Keyless entry with retractable key
Factory Immobilizer
HID (Xenon) Lights with headlamp washer
Auto headlamp levelling
Rear LED taillamps & Front foglamps
225/45R18 imported tyres
Custom Design 18 x 8J Alloy wheels
Electric trunk lid opener
Rear window defogger
Automatic Climate control with pollen filter
Piano black interior trim
Blackout meters with variable red-zone tachometer
Aluminium alloy pedals
Stylised Aluminium Scuff plate
Superlock system & Reverse sensors
Speed-sensing power steering (EPAS)
High mount stop lamp
Isofix child seat anchors (rear seats)

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While we’ve already seen the new digs that Mazda has given its 2+2, rotary-powered RX-8 model at the Tokyo Auto Salon and Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, the car that’s always been shown up to this point has been the top shelf RS model. Perhaps you’re curious to know what a base RX-8 looks like without the big wheels and wings. Well, the updated RX-8 has gone on sale today in Japan, and Mazda has released new images that show the car without all that high-performance filigree. The larger air intakes up front remain, but gone are the deep chin spoiler, rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels. One of the lesser models known as the Type-E in Japan makes do with new standard 17-inch wheels (up from 16-inches). Mazda’s changes to the RX-8 are more than skin deep and nearly all will be featured on models sold in the U.S., as well.

For Malaysia, BERMAZ will be bring in this “Facelift” model this year (2008). Therefore it will comes with “Official Mazda Warranty” and services. This is the 1st time Mazda Distributor in Malaysia will carry this model in their model line up. So, u still wanna get a re-con RX-8 ? Check out the list of details in Mazda’s RX-8 in the galleries below (click here for more….)

TOKYO — Mazda grabbed the headlines at the New York Auto Show last week when its new Mazda2 compact drove off with the prestigious 2008 World Car of the Year award. Call it a surprise result, in more ways than one. For those just tuning in, the Mazda2 is this smart, new-age compact launched in 2007 that’s doing great business for Mazda in Japan, Europe and many other places around the globe.Everywhere, that is, but North America. So, right there, it begs the question, of course: How is it a model like the Mazda2 can win something called World Car of the Year when it’s not sold in the U.S.? It’s a fair question, but here’s the answer. After a global, impartial vote for the ‘best’ new car conducted by a roster of internationally stationed journalists, the Mazda came out (click here for more….)