Mazda2 to come to North America

Citing a shift in America’s mindset regarding small cars, Mazda has just announced it will bring its subcompact hatchback, the Mazda2, to North America. "As consumers' tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed,” says Mazda North American Operations' president and chief executive, Jim O'Sullivan, “we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the Mazda3.”

Currently, Europe’s Mazda2, known as the Demio in Japan, has a number of small-displacement engine offerings, including a diesel option, and despite being more compact than its successful stable mate, the Mazda3, retains much of the attractive styling and "zoom-zoom" performance for which Mazda's wares are generally known. The five-door hatchback will add to the segment’s growing competition in the States; Volkswagen plans to bring the diminutive Polo to us as a 2011 model; and Fiat should reenter our marketplace with the 500 around the same time.

Mazda’s public announcement may be a little late in the game, but it clearly has been planning this for some time; the U.S.-spec Mazda2 will be unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show this December, where we’ll find out about engine variants, pricing and whether the 2’s redesign includes a new Joker face.

-- Alison Lakin

Alison Lakin is a staff writer at DriverSide.com.

Photo credit: Mazda Motor Europe

Auto News Roundup 6-5-09: GM to sell Saturn to Penske, Tata bringing Nano to U.S., Volvo gets help from Sweden

-- GM made a tentative deal to sell its 350-dealer Saturn brand to auto dealership group owner and former race car driver Roger Penske. LAT

-- Pricing is announced for the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible -- $44,715 for standard version and $44,765 for the sport model. Edmunds

-- Mazda mourns the loss of its European head of product communications, Neil Warrior, 48, who was on the Air France flight that crashed in the Atlantic. Automotive News (subscription only)

-- Tata announced plans to bring their cheapest car to the U.S. within two years, after meeting emission and crash standards. Tata said it plans a 2011 European roll-out for the Nano, which costs $2,300. Yahoo

-- The Swedish government won approval to help co-finance Volvo's green car development with loans of 500 million euros ($710 million). CNBC

--Joni Gray

L.A. Auto Show: New Mazda 3 is still zoomin'

Already one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars in the U.S., the Mazda 3 gets a significant design refresh and minor performance upgrade.

Photos don't really do this car justice, so it's one worth seeing in person at the auto show. RX-8 style front fenders, a long hood and high rear deck make it look like an amalgam of an RX-8, Nissan 350Z and Lexus IS 250. Sounds odd, but it works.

Mazda officials said the interior is a bit larger. Dual zone climate controls are new, as is an eight-way adjustable driver's seat.