Watch out for updated Mazda

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 37

Watch out for updated Mazda

Watch out for an updated Mazda 626 — and, as sure as night follows day, a similarly treated Ford Telstar — in the months ahead. Mazda has done some cosmetic surgery on its 626 for the Japanese market and that will almost inevitably spill over into the export market. Exterior changes include a new grille, bumpers, front air dam and rear lamp clusters. A much bigger transformation has been worked within the car. It has a remodelled dashboard, styled verj' much from the new Mazda 323, a car that is unlikely to see New Zealand sunlight until early next year. Mazda Motors NZ, Ltd, is assembling only

its easy-build 323 rear-drive station wagon at present, while expanding its general assembly facilities. Although Mazda NZ’s expanded facilities will not be opened officially until early next year, production of the new 323 should start about September or October. On the face of it, there is every probability that Ford will launch its Laser version of the 323 before the year ends. Once Ford and Mazda have their new small cars on the road, it is probable that both companies will start doing something about updating their Telstar and 626. That could mean that the new versions will reach dealers’ showrooms about this time next year.