There isn’t a big carmaker in the world that doesn’t have or isn’t considering building a hybrid or an electric car. However some Japanese smaller competitors are willing to bet that next generations of more frugal petrol engines will appeal to customers much more than the expensive hybrids. According to a Wall Street Journal article, [...]

Filed under: Concept Cars , LA Auto Show , Coupe , Performance , Mazda 2010 Mazda Shinari Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery Mazda’s current Nagare design language starts with smiling faces and moves back into wavy body panels.

Filed under: Japan , Ford , Mazda , Earnings/Financials Ford has announced that it will reduce its stake in Mazda from 11 percent to 3.5 percent by November 19. The move is part of the Blue Oval’s plan to slim its belt line and become a more flexible company in the future.

Filed under: LA Auto Show , Minivan/Van , Mazda 2012 Mazda5 at the LA Auto Show – Click above for high-res image gallery The upcoming 2012 Mazda5 just showed us its smiling face, and Mazda’s flowing design language is visible everywhere on it. The mini people mover has gotten a displacement increase up from the old 2.3-liter and is now powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Three trims are available, entry-level, Sport and Touring, and a five-speed automatic transmission comes standard on all of them.

Filed under: Podcasts We’re recording Autoblog Podcast #204 tonight, and we’ve collected a few topics of discussion. Drop us your own feedback and questions below if you think there’s anything we’ve missed, or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine the flow of the ‘cast. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes (if you haven’t already) to hear your question answered.

Filed under: Podcasts We’re recording Autoblog Podcast #203 tonight, and we’ve collected a few topics of discussion. Drop us your own feedback and questions below if you think there’s anything we’ve missed, or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine the flow of the ‘cast. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes (if you haven’t already) to hear your question answered.

Filed under: Podcasts We’re recording Autoblog Podcast #203 tonight, and we’ve collected a few topics of discussion. Drop us your own feedback and questions below if you think there’s anything we’ve missed, or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine the flow of the ‘cast. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes (if you haven’t already) to hear your question answered

Filed under: LA Auto Show , Minivan/Van , Mazda 2012 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery We first saw the next-generation Mazda5 when it debuted in Geneva earlier this year, but now Mazda has confirmed that the version destined for the United States will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Badged as a 2012 model, the U.S.-spec Mazda5 won’t differ all that much from its European kin in terms of appearance.

Filed under: Etc. , Japan , Mazda Mazda has produced some iconic sports cars throughout its history, and now those vehicles have been immortalized in stamp form. Released as a limited-edition on November 1st, the Japan Post Network Chugoke Regional Office has created a 12-stamp set officially titled History of Mazda Motor Corporation Hiroshima

Filed under: SEMA Show If we were to show you all the vehicles that saw coverage here on Autoblog over the past three days from the 2010 SEMA Show , you’d be looking at 105 (seriously!) thumbnail images below. We aren’t going to subject you to all of that…