With Ford giving up most of its 33.4 percent stake in Mazda back in 2008, the brand has released its first model featuring its new architecture, with the CX-5 compact crossover.

As an independent automaker, Mazda planned to reestablish themselves with new engines and underpinnings, and fresh designs, starting with Kodo, on the 2010 Shinari concept and March’s CX-5 concept.

his parallels Volvo’s strategy after its break from Ford last year, as well, which was sold for $1.5 billion to Zhejiang Geely Holding Co. The current designs have yet to be named, but will be for front- and all-wheel drive vehicles for release in Japan in March, and Europe in April.

Click here for our post on the Mazda CX-5.

The scaleable vehicle architecture will also be featured in the upcoming Mazda3 replacement, Mazda 6, and the CX-7, and will eventually span 80 percent of the brands worldwide volume.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Automotive News