2008 saw a surge in the popularity of minicars and compacts, with 16,000 two-seat minicars imported to the US which did not satisfy the demands of the long list of buyers. Because of this small-is-more trend, many are now wondering whether the North American market is a ripe one for micro cars.
Mazda has recently redesigned the micro-mini AZ Wagon in Japan, offering more flexibity and room as well as better fuel efficiency. And thanks to a few tweaks and touches (which we see in the Custom Style rendition offered in Japan), the AZ Wagon has easily changed its image from being just cute to cool and comfortable.
However, Mazda faces an important challenge: how to redesign and engineer the AZ-Wagon such that it meets the vehicle safety standards observed in the US. See the AZ Wagon was originally engineered and designed to meet Kei-class standards in Japan, which places limitations on size and weight, power output, and engine displacement in vehicles. Basically, this means that if Mazda doesn’t redesign the AZ Wagon to comply with US standards, they can say goodbye to a considerable number of potential unit sales.
This is why Mazda has come up with a redesigned AZ Wagon, which not only passes US standards but also makes for an appealing and comfortable compact car. The redesigned four-seater has 50/50 split rear seats which can be folded or moved forward on tracks if you need more room for cargo than people. Many also laud the redesigned AZ Wagon for its space efficiency, which is quite impressive considering the car’s overall dimensions. In addition to all these, the AZ Wagon also uses an engine that is certified in Japan as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.