IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North
American Operations (MNAO) today announced that three of its
vehicles are once again rated by the independent Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as "Top Safety Pick+" awardees
for 2017. The 2017 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover SUV, Mazda3
compact sedan and five-door and midsize Mazda6 family sedan each
aced a number of the Institute's proprietary collision safety
tests.
Evaluations included small overlap front, moderate overlap
front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, where the
tested vehicles had to earn a "Good" rating. Additionally, the trio
of Mazdas earned "Advanced" or "Superior" rating for front
crash-prevention, courtesy of their available Smart City Brake
Support and Smart Brake Support automatic emergency braking
systems.
Finally, CX-3, Mazda3 and Mazda6 had to pass stringent headlight
evaluations to earn the highest "Top Safety Pick+" designation.
Each vehicle was designed from the ground up using SKYACTIV
Technology, which is a suite of technologies that includes
fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, lightweight but strong
chassis, suspension designs that balance comfort and performance,
implementing Mazda's safety systems.
"Mazda vehicles are thought of as beautiful with our signature
KODO—Soul of Motion design and engaging to drive, but our
consistently outstanding performance in safety evaluations also
speaks volumes about our engineering excellence, courtesy of
SKYACTIV Technology," said Robert
Davis, senior VP, U.S. Operations, MNAO. "The IIHS 'Top
Safety Pick+' distinction becomes tougher and tougher to earn, yet
our vehicles continue to prove their mettle with no
compromise—whether it's with safety, outstanding fuel-efficiency or
any number of other areas."
Thanks to their available adaptive LED headlights—a
class-exclusive feature for the 2017 CX-3—as well as ultra-rigid
SKYACTIV-CHASSIS technology and a number of other unique features
available in Mazda vehicles, such as straight frame rails that are
implemented in every vehicle from the smallest MX-5 Miata to the
largest CX-9 to better-withstand collisions due to their high
rigidity, these three standouts continue to lead their segments in
safety evaluations.
Excluded from 2017 testing thus far are the compact 2017 Mazda
CX-5 crossover SUV, which will go on sale in the spring in the
U.S., and the midsize, three-row CX-9, which has not been tested
yet. MX-5 models are not evaluated in U.S. testing.
The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing
organization, funded by the insurance industry. For more
information, visit IIHS.org.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales,
marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in
the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.
Operations in Mexico are managed
by Mazda Motor de Mexico in
Mexico City. For more
information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll,
please visit the online Mazda media center at
www.mazdausamedia.com.
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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations