China-made Mazda 8 to debut at 2010 Beijing show

Mazda will unveil a locally produced version of the Mazda 8 minivan later this month at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. The vehicle, known in Japan as the Mazda MPV, will be assembled in China with local partner FAW.

Mazda also will bring to the Beijing show its portfolio of next-generation SKY engines, including the SKY-G direct-injection gasoline unit and SKY-D clean diesel.

Inside Line says: Mazda could find it tough to crack the Chinese midsize people-mover market, which is dominated by such strong entries as the Buick GL8, the Honda Odyssey and the JAC Refine.