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In a bit of good news for those currently in the market for a new compact car, Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda's North American Operations, says that the redesigned 2010 Mazda3 is just now starting to show up in U.S. ports and is on schedule for a March sale date. That's also great news for Mazda, as the 3 is its best selling model in North America and is expected to help prop up lagging sales. As before, the new Mazda3 will be available in both sedan and hatchback form, with the choice of a 2.0L four-cylinder that offers 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque and a larger 2.5L four with 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. In other news, O'Sullivan says that Mazda will not offer Ford's latest hybrid system in the firm's midsize 6 due to high cost considerations.

[Source: Wards]