http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/atclen/news_en/15mk/122101034/?P=1
The Roadster RF's exterior stylish parts using the unpainted plastic are a "quarter garnish" and "side garnish," which are conventionally made by painting ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin.
By replating (probably meant replacing) the ABS resin with the unpainted plastic, Mazda achieved a texture quality higher than that of painted ABS resin (rich color and mirror-like smoothness). The weather resistance and scratch resistance of the unpainted plastic-based exterior parts are equivalent to those of exterior parts using painted ABS resin.
Article also says the CX-9 uses this, but I was unable to find where exactly. Maybe window garnish? Apparently this plastic can be dyed in any color instead of painting which could make bumper scrapes much less visible.
If you recall Saturn used plastic panels 20 years ago, but they required painting and had issues with heat expansion that required large and unsightly gaps between the panels.
The Roadster RF's exterior stylish parts using the unpainted plastic are a "quarter garnish" and "side garnish," which are conventionally made by painting ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin.
By replating (probably meant replacing) the ABS resin with the unpainted plastic, Mazda achieved a texture quality higher than that of painted ABS resin (rich color and mirror-like smoothness). The weather resistance and scratch resistance of the unpainted plastic-based exterior parts are equivalent to those of exterior parts using painted ABS resin.
Article also says the CX-9 uses this, but I was unable to find where exactly. Maybe window garnish? Apparently this plastic can be dyed in any color instead of painting which could make bumper scrapes much less visible.
If you recall Saturn used plastic panels 20 years ago, but they required painting and had issues with heat expansion that required large and unsightly gaps between the panels.
