Mazda Tries to Shift to Luxury Brands with FR Conversion

Many of medium sized sedan cars used to have FR conversion as their platform in Japan. However, most of the Japanese vehicle companies decided to switch to FF platform as FF have the advantage of being able to reduce the numbers of parts. This can results in the lightening of the body and thus low fuel consumption. Mazda changed FR platform to FF platform as well back in 2012 for CX-5.

FF conversion is a type of platform with a front engine with front wheel drive and FR is a platform with a front engine with rear wheel drive. The most attracting feature of FR is the ability of motion performance. It can maximize the joy of driving for the drivers. It can improve the value of the brand by providing high-quality cars.

According to Nikkei Shimbun, in order to achieve successful FR conversion, Mazda has sent off the request for quotation to partner parts manufacturers which will be used to produce cars from the year 2020.

Mazda will make a final decision regarding FR conversion after receiving feedback from the partner manufacturers. If mass production will take place, FR platform is expected to be used for Mazda's main products such as Atenza and CX-5.

The amount of capital investment is expected to be kept fairly low. Mazda has been producing FR vehicle, RoadStar and FF's CX-3 together in Ujina factory located in Hiroshima prefecture. Mazda has already experienced the mixed production of two types of platforms in the same factory. This is making Mazda confident about the new decision of FR conversion and they know the know-how for small quantities of multi-products at the same time.

A technician said, "I would like to pursue the desire of producing FR platform cars very soon in the future."