Award for new Mazda

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 19

Award for new Mazda

The 1982-83 Japanese Car of the Year award has been won by the all-new front-wheel-drive Mazda 626 which was- launched in Japan late last year. Two years ago. when the award was established, it was won by the Mazda 323. Organised by the Japanese Car of the Year Committee, which has a membership of 17, the selection is determined by 57 judges, including leading motoring journalists, critics and academics. This time 41 domestic models, introduced after the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show and up until the end of October 1982, were judged.

Second and third places went to the Toyota Camry and Honda City Turbo, respectively. Thus all the major place-getters were front-drive cars.

Toyo Kogyo introduced the new 626 series in Japan last September in saloon, fourdoor hatchback and two-door coupe models.

Now the 626 is being prepared for introduction in overseas markets, including New Zealand where it is expected to be launched late this year.

The . Toyo-Kogyo-produced 626 will be the second car from the Japanese company to be marketed with a Ford as well as a Mazda label. The first was the Mazda 323, which is also sold in New Zealand and Australia as the Ford Laser and is the recognised replacement model for the Ford Escort in this part of the world. It is probable that the 626 will be sold in Australia and New Zealand as the Ford Telstar and it is the car that will eventually replace the Ford Cortina.

Although the Mazda 626 will not be launched in this country until late this year, it is probable that the Telstar will begin appearing in dealers' showrooms in about June.