Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Japan, Hatchbacks, Mazda
New Mazda Demio exceeds expectations in 1st month of Japan sales
Click image for Mazda2/Demio photo gallery
This always seems to happen in Japan -- a new model is formally announced (often right on the on-sale date), and after the ride's first month in dealerships, the automaker will put out a release touting how it has surpassed the company's sales expectations. It's no different with the all-new Mazda Demio (a.k.a. Mazda2 in other markets), which had a lot going for it to begin with. It's attractive and economical, and it's also racking up orders -- 15,000 between July 5 and August 5, to be exact. That's a sight better than the 5,000 units Mazda says it forecasted for the diminutive hatchback. The automaker also reports that the Demio web site has been pulling in big traffic, which would seem to indicate that interest in the car is indeed very high. All we know is that our interest in it is very high, as is our feeling of disappointment, since we won't be getting the Mazda2 here.
[Source: Carview]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Scott 4:51PM (8/07/2007)
I work for a big Mazda/Ford Dealership, and I do wish we would get this car here. I think, IMHO, that there are two reasons they won't. I think they fear that the Mazda2 could cut in to sales of the Mazda3. I think the bigger issue is that Mazda has been heading upmarket latley, and this car may counter that image or goal. There honestly are people in our dealershi comparing CX-9's with Acura, BMW, Audi, and even Lexus. Same with the CX-7. From your earlier post, it looks like the 6 is headed upmarket too, with things like adaptive cruise (look at the front bumper.) I just think they are content to leave the subcompact segment to Honda/ Toyota/ Nissan, and the rest. They are becoming a sporty "near premium brand". Just one opinoin though.
Reply
Castle 5:00PM (8/07/2007)
I would totally buy this car, especially if it was sold for a price competitive to the Yaris/Versa/Fit etc.
Looks worlds better then the competition. This car is definitely a winner.
Aetius 5:34PM (8/07/2007)
Thats true and there are good reasons for that. MANY fully-loaded Mazda3/6/CX-7 owners I know or have read about on Mazda forums buy Mazdas either as a second car to their 3-Series/A4/TL or are replacing their old lux-brand cars with it. The reasons they cite include insurance, premium gas, and esp. repair costs. They still want the fun-factor of those upscale-brands but with the cost-ratio of a Toyota/Chevy level brand.
BLS 5:09PM (8/07/2007)
Funny how there are always 3 times as many cars than they expect to sell available.
Reply
Schumann 8:31PM (8/07/2007)
It 'racked up 15,000 orders' is their wording. This doesn't (necessarily) imply 15,000 were delivered and driven off the lots over the month!
Dave T. 5:28PM (8/07/2007)
it says 15000 orders not sales.
If it was 15,000 sales in one month IN JAPAN, that would be more than the Versa and Fit put together in one month in the US, maybe the Accent too.
Reply
srivendel 5:35PM (8/07/2007)
Awesome car. Bring it here, Mazda. Bring us sufficient volumes and don't let your dealers play stupid games (ahem, Honda Fit) and you'll sell these by the boatload.
The Fit is cool but unavailable. The Versa is too big to be truly efficient. The Yaris is dull as dirt. This thing is exactly what the subcompact market needs.
Do it!
Reply
Dave T. 5:44PM (8/07/2007)
how is the versa too big to be truly efficient? It gets similar mileage to the Fit. 27/33 vs. 29/35 with auto using 2008 numbers. Not a huge difference better than Scion and better than the Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent etc.
whofan 5:55PM (8/07/2007)
Mazda is the Japanese brand that deserves the praise that Honda and Toyota enjoy. Mazda builds the cars that Toyota can only dream of building (in my eyes). Honda is in between and has good enough style but Toyota sucks.
Mazda is a car I`d look at when GM Ford and Chrysler close shop.
But for now I love My country and standard of living so my money is well spent with the big 3. Welcome home Chrysler!
Reply
AlexP 6:43PM (8/07/2007)
When you buy Mazda, you support Ford, FYI.
James 6:11PM (8/07/2007)
The car previously called the "Demio" here in Japan was already a fairly popular vehicle, and the new one is being promoted quite heavily. I've seen a few on display at various train stations in Osaka in the past month or so.
But the car is quite attractive itself without all the promotion, and it's no wonder it's doing so well.
Reply
whofan 7:53PM (8/07/2007)
AlexP @ Aug 7th 2007 6:43PM
"When you buy Mazda, you support Ford, FYI."
30% or less supports Ford. The Japanese have laws to prevent them from selling out. Unlike us who squander the hard work our forefathers done to give us a better life.
Ford or any other company is only allowed to own up to 30% of any Japanese company.
I will agree with one thing. The Japanese are smarter than Americans. Mazda builds the best Japan has to offer. No are no better or just marginly better than our own fron Detroit.
Reply
... 8:47PM (8/07/2007)
I'm sure that if Mazda didn't go bankrupt and get bought by ford, you would consider them garbage.
whofan 7:55PM (8/07/2007)
None are no better or just marginly better than our own from Detroit.
Reply
Bryan 9:10PM (8/07/2007)
Uhm...wasn't it just said last month that this and a Ford variantare planned to be sold here?
Reply
Bryan 9:10PM (8/07/2007)
*variant are*
Reply
bloodnok 9:31PM (8/07/2007)
on a recent visit to japan, i saw a number of the new demio; mostly on dealer lots. sweet looking car. i'd buy one should matsuda bring them over to america. maybe i'll just move back to japan and get one there, given how stunned ford and its mazda subsidiary are being.
Reply
spdracerut 3:20AM (8/08/2007)
i think it's easily a more attractive car than any of the current offerings here in the US (Yaris, Fit, Versa). It should come with some of Mazda's ZoomZoom DNA so it should be fun to drive which puts it above the Yaris and Versa in that department, and maybe better than the Fit. They should sell it here!
Reply
Pud 10:18AM (8/08/2007)
Mazda2speed in the USA please!
PLEASE
Reply
Kirk 12:00PM (8/08/2007)
The sad thing is that Ford is going to get to sell their own version in the U.S. but Mazda will not get to sell the Mazda2 here.
Reply