The manager of the Japanese amrca argues that it is not true that electric cars are zero emissions

The Mazda CX5, renewed in May 2017, represents 40% of the sales of the Japanese brand in Spain. At the moment the range has combustion vehicles, although as the demand grows they will add electric and hybrid models to their offer.

-What evolution do you expect for the automotive market in 2018?
In the case of Mazda we have a forecast of sales of about 21,100 cars, which represents a growth of 14%, which is very good. The fundamental reason for this growth has two legs. One, the market’s own growth. On the other hand, we will also benefit from being able to have the new CX-5 throughout the year, whose weight in sales will increase at a percentage level, up to around 45%.

-What future awaits combustion engines, especially diesel?
We try to be objective. We are not antielectric, or antihybrid, or anti-naive. We try to be objective. With that objectivity, the electric car has two problems. One, that taking into account the emissions that are produced to extract the energy that the car needs, plus the emissions that are needed to manufacture that car, plus the emissions that occur in the use of that car, it is not true that the cars electric are zero emissions.

-When will electric vehicles be competitive for autonomy and price?
Our forecasts are that, by the year 2035, still 85% of cars sold worldwide will continue to incorporate an internal combustion engine, either as a main unit or complementary hybrid or electric vehicles with extended range, to expand its reach .

-When will the autonomous car be a reality and how will it transform mobility?
Our approach to this issue is also somewhat different from the general trend of manufacturers, as we focus on vehicles in which fun driving is a priority and the human being remains in control with the assistance of a “co-pilot” go warning of possible risks on the road and, if necessary, act to avoid an accident.
This system, which in Mazda we call Co-Pilot, we will begin to offer it in our range of models from 2020 and we will extend it to the rest of the range in a term of five years.

– The car in property will lose adherents by the new forms of mobility?
In the short term, I do not think that is going to be a reality, at least for the vast majority of people. In a recent survey carried out among 11,000 European drivers, 77% answered that the main reason to enjoy driving is the freedom and independence provided by the private car. The car, by concept, offers a great freedom and capacity of improvisation to its owner, something that, for example, a short-term rental or “carsharing” does not allow. I believe that car sharing can replace the taxi or the use of public transport for some people who live and work in the center of large cities but we do not believe that it can replace the use of private vehicles for most families. We do believe that long-term rentals can progressively gain acceptance in Spain, especially among private customers.

ABC 05/09/2018 (Translation Soft)