Mazda pours cold water on rush for hybrids

Mazda executives recently downplayed the current hybrid-making rush in the auto industry, saying that the company will boost fuel efficiency by using cheaper methods like losing the weight ofits vehicles.

A research and development director of Mazda Motor Corp has predicted that even in 2015, the gasoline engine will account for nearly all autos in the world, with electric vehicles and hybrids to make up a niche market.

He said improving the fuel-efficiency of gasoline engines, developing lighter car-bodies and cutting fuel consumption during idling are the challenges Mazda is taking up to make their models more eco-friendly.

The Japanese carmaker is planning to develop a diesel engine that was cheaper and about as fuel-efficient as some hybrid cars by 2011 as part of its efforts to improve mileage without the aid of costly electric systems.

Mazda Motor aims to raise its global car fleet's fuel economy by 30% by 2015, and plans to rely on advances in internal combustion engines, automatic transmissions and vehicle weight reduction to reach that green goal.

Mazda Motor Corp said last week it has become the world's first company to begin
commercial leasing of hydrogen-gasoline hybrid vehicles fueled also by an electric battery.