Plans for a ressurected rotary engine appear to have hit a snag with Mazda CEO Masa-michi Kogai claiming that the required volumes for commercial viability are unrealistic.
Speaking to Automotive News, Kogai said that a new rotary engine would need to hit volumes of 100,000 annual units, a figure considered unrealistic
"No plans now," Kogai said in an interview Friday. "It has to be a viable commercial proposition. If we are going to adopt it, it has to be a product that can generate at least sales of 100,000 units a year. We have to be able to achieve a profit."
However, Kogai said that research on the rotary engine will continue, specifically with regards to alternative fuels. The rotary engine has so far been able to run on hydrogen and even kerosene in additional to gasoline, and Mazda doesn't appear to be discontinuing rotary R&D any time soon. However, Kogai's mission is focused around improving profitability, and increasing efficiencies is his first priority.
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com
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