If you are planning on buying a Mazda3 you better wait a bit longer, because they’ve begun production of the 2012 model equipped with SKYACTIV technologies.

The car will hit the Japanese market in Fall and will reach other parts of the world shortly after that.

The new Mazda3 (Axela in Japan) has also received a mild facelift. The big smile is still there, but they’ve tweaked the design, made it a little sleeker. The bigger changes are improved driving performance and fuel economy thanks to the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine and SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission.

Like the latest Mazda2, the new models feature “intelligent-Drive Master” (i-DM) which provides information and driving tips designed to promote a smooth and efficient driving style! That’s in front with Mazda3’s fantastic handling which encourages you to go faster and faster. That is its winning card against the rivals.

Mazda hopes the new technologies boost the sales of the 3, the car that accounts for a third of the company’s global sales.