Mazda to scrap rotary engines

Friday 07 October 2011 09:51 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mazda will stop producing vehicles with its signature rotary engines in June next year because of poor sales and the costs of meeting emissions standards.

The firm said the latest edition of the RX-8, the only model in its line-up with the rotary engine, will go on sale on November 24, targeting sales of 1,000 vehicles, but will end production in June 2012.

Mazda, which introduced its first rotary engine car in 1967, is the only car maker in the world that makes vehicles with rotary engines. They have fewer moving parts and are quieter than comparable piston engines but are more expensive to manufacture and consume more fuel.

Mazda's decision underlines how consumer tastes are changing to preferring green vehicles over sporty ones.

AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in