Mazda to join compact car craze?
The Jiji Press reported that Mazda president Hisakazu Imaki was quoted on saying that compact cars are necessary in the long term because of rising fuel prices. Thus there is increased speculation that the automaker, well-known for its sportier cars, could bring its compact vehicles such as the Mazda2 (pictured) to the U.S. market as early as 2007.
The Mazda3 is currently the smallest Mazda sold in the U.S.
With Toyota, Honda, and Nissan bringing their compact cars next year (see here) while gas prices have dropped, Mazda will probably take a wait-and-see approach.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sid Ghosh 12:42PM (12/27/2005)
They will definitely bring out a compact car which will be fun to drive as well.
Reply
TimW 2:03PM (12/27/2005)
Compact Car "Craze?" Haven't compact cars been a reality and steady mainstay in the car market since the gas crises in the 70's? Why describe it as a craze? In my opinion, compact cars are here to stay.
Reply
Tahrey 2:34PM (12/27/2005)
I'd love them try to market the Citroen C1 to the US market... a car so small that, in the 5-door version, the frames of the rear passenger doors mate directly with the hatch lid to form the outer C-pillar.
The Mazda 3 isn't exactly THAT small.. this side of the pond the 2 could still be described as a mid-sized family car.
Reply
CJ 3:01PM (12/27/2005)
Yes! Geez! Give us the MX-Micro Sport already!
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7782/Mazda_MX-Micro%20Sport/default.aspx
Reply
Jeff the Baptist 3:08PM (12/27/2005)
If Mazda was smart, they would be aiming at the fun compact market with a competitor to the Mini that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Reply
Car-la 4:38PM (12/27/2005)
I like the Mazda3, but the 2 is not really to my taste. But then it would be a shame if Mazda missed this opportunity with everybody else introducing their compacts.
Reply
Geotpf 5:14PM (12/27/2005)
Folks, the market for subcompact cars in the US is probably only 10,000 units a month or so-like 5% of the size of the compact or midsized markets. Considering that this is a low-profit segment as well, and I think everybody is jumping the gun here. At least all these vehicles sell well in other countries, so shipping a few hundred to a few thousand a month to the US ain't a big deal, unless they go overboard on advertising.
Reply
Rene Curry 9:07PM (12/27/2005)
Hello Geotph,
I think cars like the Mini, BMW 1-series, Audi A3, etc are priming the North American market to rethink the way it views small cars.
I foresee a big wave of perceived higher quality small cars being introduced into our market and they may sell at prices that will be bumping against the mid-sized market.
Higher fuel prices would cement that market.
Reply
JustJase 9:15PM (12/27/2005)
This really does remind me of the fuel shortages of the early 70's. Manufacturers developed and rushed economical cars to market as quickly as they could. The buying public was treated to such hellish vehicles as the Ford Pinto, Mustang II and the Chevrolet Vega and Chevette.
Thankfully, this time around, these new "baby" models are about as good as their slightly larger siblings. The next year will be a wonderful time to be a shopper in the entry level market!
Reply
JimboNC 12:31AM (12/28/2005)
Entry level will be the ONLY level sooner than you think. Oil producers are at peak production now and the price of oil can only go UP over the next 5 to 7 years with some predicting $100-plus a barrel. Obese America had better be working on their diets so they can get into compact cars.
Reply
Galley 7:23AM (12/28/2005)
The Citroen that Tahrey mentioned is certainly interesting.
Photo: http://www.zaman.ro/2005/02/22/resim/c1b.jpg
Reply
bhtooefr 8:38AM (12/28/2005)
"Thankfully, this time around, these new "baby" models are about as good as their slightly larger siblings. The next year will be a wonderful time to be a shopper in the entry level market!"
Because they're models that have been around in Europe for quite a while (well, OK, the Yaris is redesigned...) This means that we actually get proven models.
Reply