Mazda launches several new crossovers this year, in an upmarket shift betting that going bigger is better.

The product surge comes as Mazda repositions its lineup toward the hot-selling utility vehicle segment and tries to move upmarket with bigger, more powerful offerings.

Mazda will suspend production at its two domestic factories for two days in April as factors including a rise in COVID-19 cases in China cause supply disruptions.

Japan's automakers are stoking R&D investment to meet mounting demand for a staggering array of technologies. Toyota by far outpaces the pack.