Mazda demonstrates its belief in petrol and diesel engines with a survey of European drivers

For some time we have been telling you about the crusade of brands such as Mazda, which, in an era of hybrids and electric vehicles, advocate continuing in parallel with the development of conventional engines, capable of reaching efficiency levels that were unimaginable just a few years ago, thereby ensuring they do not disappear in such a radical or sudden way. We do not know exactly how long they will last, but what can be inferred is that European drivers will not give them up so easily.

Mazda has already shown us that, without resorting to already overexploited techniques such as downsizing, it is possible to make diesel and petrol engines even more efficient. An example of this is its Skyactiv-X technology, or the ones it will produce in the future, the Skyactiv-3, the latter capable of improving thermal efficiency by at least 26%, so that energy utilisation would rise to as much as 56%. But not only that: it is also possible to reduce CO2 emissions even further, by up to 25%.

But all this technology would make little sense if it does not enjoy acceptance among end consumers, the drivers, who are ultimately the ones who have the final say and decide which technology they prefer for their car. That is why Mazda has carried out a survey together with Ipsos MORI, conducted during last September, in which 11,008 European drivers were interviewed, and whose results they now present to us.

The survey offers quite interesting data, data that lead Mazda to further reinforce its idea of continuing to develop conventional engines. The average 58% of drivers believe that these engines still have ample room for development, a figure that rises to as much as 60% in markets such as Spain, Germany or Sweden, and to 65% if we focus on the Polish market.

Also interesting is the data on diesel engines, an engine that is gradually disappearing from brands’ catalogues in favour of petrol, hybrid or electric options. 31% of European drivers would like the diesel engine to continue to exist, undoubtedly a fairly acceptable percentage, but what Mazda does not reveal is the opinion of the remaining 69%, leaving us in the dark about the views of the majority.

Taking advantage of the survey, Mazda also sought to measure the level of acceptance of autonomous vehicles, and the truth is they do not come out very well, since only 33% of respondents like the idea of driving an autonomous vehicle. Nevertheless, and knowing that this technology will also be unavoidable, 69% of respondents hope that these technologies will continue to allow the option of driving our cars ourselves.

Now, everyone can draw their own conclusions, since this survey cannot be taken at face value, as you will imagine it has been framed in the way that best suits Mazda. An example of this is that, in its results, Mazda offers no information about what questions were put to respondents. Will Mazda be right, as they claim?