Will the Mazda1 be based on the Ford Ka or Haima1? Or maybe Nissan Micra? Or something else entirely? Ford has had a long-standing partnership with Mazda, and most Haimas are heavily Mazda-based. A Ka-based one would likely have better build quality, while a Haima1-based Mazda would likely cost less. Both aspects are vital to a supermini's success. An all-Mazda Mazda1 is unlikely due to RnD costs, which would increase the price of the car. Skyactiv technology could greatly increase the liveliness of whatever it's based on, while also making it more efficient. Perhaps Mazda will surprise us with a Nissan-based Mazda1, as the Mazda5 is sold as a Nissan in Japan.
From the renders I've seen, it's been and idea from 2010. I highly doubt they'll even make it, to be honest.
Could be a new platform as Mazda likes their vehicles sporty. They also like their vehicles to be on a chassis that isn't built by capuchin monkeys, hence they have stopped using ford chassis and building their own.
