After announcing plans to sell Mazda2 in Canada, Mazda has confirmed that its subcompact will be arriving in America too. It was forwarded by Mazda North American Operation's president and CEO, Jim O'Sullivan, that by late 2010, the Mazda Mazda2 subcompact will be sold in the U. S. as well as in Canada.

Though the Mazda2 has been selling in world markets; however, it was not considered suitable for the U. S.

The top Mazda dealers were informed by O'Sullivan, "As consumers' tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the Mazda3."

It should be noted that even after being named the 'Car of the Year' in more than twenty countries as well as '2008 World Car of the Year' (the year the latest generation was introduced), the Mazda 2 is not that well-known in the U. S. Ever since 1985, when it took the GLC, which it had been selling here since 1977, off the American market, Mazda has not sold a car in this class. The Mazda2 is about the same size as a Toyota Yaris, which means it's a "B-segment" car.

"The Mazda2 five-door is almost a foot shorter, however, than the five-door Yaris, at 158 inches overall. Its wheelbase is 98 inches compared to the Yaris' 100.4. Both the Yaris and Mazda2 have three-door versions," said a source.

As of now, it is not known as to what configuration of the Mazda 2 will be launched in U. S. by Mazda.

The decision to launch the North American-specification Mazda2 was declared by Mazda at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show this fall; however, it will only be after the actual launch that we will come to know about specifications, content, pricing and on-sale timing.