The carmaker’s commitment to safety was recognised last year by European vehicle safety organisation Euro NCAP last year, which highlighted the Mazda CX-5 – which already rated has the top five-star rating for occupant and pedestrian protection – for being at the forefront of the carmaker’s drive to equip all models with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

Now Mazda has gone further by incorporating the technology – dubbed “Smart City Brake Support” – in its Mazda6 range.

Smart City Brake Support operates at speeds of up to 19mph and uses a laser sensor to detect a vehicle in front of the car. If the driver fails to slow the vehicle appropriately, or to take avoiding action, the system automatically activates the brakes and reduces the engine output at the same time. That helps to avoid collisions or mitigate the damage from rear-end collisions at low speeds, which are among the most common accidents.

The Mazda6 and CX-5 also feature Mazda’s SKYACTIV-Body, which in addition to offering major fuel savings and emission reducing features versus competitor models, means they have a highly rigid structure. In the event of a crash the straight and continuous body lines absorb the load by dispersing it in multiple directions, thus greatly improving the overall safety of occupants.

Both models come equipped with a full range of advanced and innovative class-leading safety technologies as standard as well as an optional £700 (VAT inclusive) Safety Pack which includes Rear Vehicle Monitoring via a door mirror-mounted warning light and audible alert, Lane Departure Warning via an audible warning and High Beam Control to give improved night vision.

Mazda head of fleet Steve Tomlinson said: ‘Safety is a fundamental issue for all drivers whether selecting their new company car or buying a vehicle privately. Mazda is ahead of many other manufacturers in terms of making vital safety-focused technology accessible.’

He added: ‘Cost reduction is an agenda-topping issue for fleet decision-makers. Introducing new company cars equipped with the latest safety features is essential as a reduction in incidents and accident severity will deliver financial savings, for example lower repair bills and insurance premium savings and improved business efficiency.’