Mazda puts safety first without sacrificing driving excitement

Proving that safe doesn’t always have to mean boring, Mazda North American Operations today announced that the 2007 CX-7 and 2007 MAZDA6 sedan are among the highest-rated vehicles in the latest safety tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).


The CX-7 achieved five-star frontal and side crash ratings, and a four-star rollover resistance rating – the highest ratings awarded to any SUV. Similarly, the MAZDA6, with its standard side air bags and roof-mounted side air curtains, achieved five-star frontal crash ratings, four-star side impact crash ratings and a five-star rollover resistance rating – ratings that are superior to the 2007 Honda Accord sedan.


“CX-7 and MAZDA6 are the latest vehicles in our expanding lineup to prove that we can put safety first and still build and sell fun-to-drive cars,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, “And, because we never want our customers to have to cho ose between driving excitement and safety, as we move into 2007, we’ll offer more safety technologies as standard equipment than ever before.”


To help drivers avoid accidents, all Mazda vehicles, including MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute, are loaded with standard or optional active safety features including Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). These systems are standard on every CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and 2008 Tribute. In addition, CX-9 and Tribute are both also equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world’s only system with gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.


Should an accident occur, CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and Tribute also feature passive safety technologies including three-point seat belts for all seating positions, second row Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety restraints, seat belt reminding systems, advanced dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags and air curtains (front and rear) – features that are also available as optional equipment on all Mazda vehicles. In addition, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute’s side air curtains feature standard rollover protection for all rows of seating.


Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.