With More Than 190,000 km on the Odometer, Mazda SUVs Get a Major Makeover as “Work Vehicles”! What Are the Strengths of “Manufacturer-Affiliated” Production?

At the Mazda E&T booth, “working vehicles” were displayed alongside concept cars and specially equipped vehicles. The Sunflower Yellow ND Roadster also attracted attention, while a road patrol vehicle from NEXCO East Japan was displayed at the venue as well.

A vehicle based on the CX-80 was unveiled as an actual patrol car responsible for road safety, attracting visitors’ attention for features including reduced fatigue during long drives and its fuel economy characteristics. At the same time, the limited cargo space was identified as an issue.

A demonstration patrol car based on the new CX-5 was also displayed, showcasing additional design work for electrical systems including warning lights, a siren and radio equipment. Adding electrical equipment can sometimes cause problems from the standpoint of integrated control, but being an affiliated company directly linked to the manufacturer is considered a strength.