Mazda

Mazda Australia has recalled 130 examples of the 2020 Mazda BT-50 TF ute (MY20) as the rear seatbelt may have been installed incorrectly. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the pretensioner mechanism in the BT-50 could malfunction in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury to passengers. Affected utes were sold between 23 September 2020 and 5 November 2020.

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 has been treated to a number of updates for the new year. Headlining Mazda's upgrades is the addition of the two new variants, Maxx Sport LE and the 100th Anniversary Special Edition. A permanent member of the CX-3 range, the new Maxx Sport LE (pictured in red) slots in between the existing Maxx Sport and sTouring grades, available solely in front-wheel-drive, six-speed automatic form, priced from $27,640 before on-road costs.

Mazda is an interesting case study in Australia, in that it has the highest percentage of private customers of any of the top ten mainstream brands. That's probably why its downturn of 15.8 percent lines up so closely to an overall 16 percent drop for the market. Mazda's figures generally closely resemble that of the market as a whole more so than any other brand.

Mazda has unveiled a range of updates for the brand's popular 2021 Mazda 3 small car in Japan, though it's unclear whether the changes will make their way to Australia. Headlining the updates – at least those most relevant to Australian customers – are upgrades for the recently-introduced, breakthrough SkyActiv-X petrol engine.