Following CX-9, Mazda to make more vehicles just for U.S.
The CX-9 was Mazda's first vehicle designed specifically for US consumption, and one Motor Trend SUV of the year award later, Mazda may be on to something. Sales momentum has increased steadily for the seven-seat utility vehicle, with 3,000 units flying off dealer lots in October alone. Mazda's flexibility allowed the automaker to transform in 18 months a minivan that would likely retail for less than $30,000 into a hot CUV with a price tag reaching $40,000. The Hiroshima-based automaker will leverage those lightning-fast production capabilities and its Ford-shared global architecture bin to produce more vehicles for US tastes, and we're happy to hear it.
Since Mazda seems to have a handle on CUVs (it has four in the US already), we can only guess what exclusive product the development team in Irvine, CA will give us next. A zoom-zoom version of the Honda Ridgeline would be interesting, as would a US-unique Mazda2. We'd like to put in a vote for Mazda utilizing the RX-8 platform to create a sporty RWD sedan, but we're sure everyone the world over would want that.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AlexP 11:05AM (11/27/2007)
As long as it doesn't/they don't drive like the CX-9 (if you think this thing drives like a true Mazda (CX-7, RX-8, 3, MX-5), ugh), I'm happy.
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mikomi 11:18AM (11/27/2007)
The CX-9 is not that bad. I don't think Mazda ever claimed it had the soul of a sports car, nor it would handle like one, but still, the CX-9 does handle better than most SUVs or vans. And as far as stylish CUVs/SUVs go, this is one of them.
Mazda said the CX-7 would be USA only, and look at it, it's sold everywhere, even down here in Latin America where I am currently at (and I have a CX-7 myself). Mazda said the same of the CX-9 in that it would be USA only, but the CX-9 is being sold in other countries too. I would had bought the CX-9 if it had came out 4 months earlier when I bought my CX-7.
Now Mazda says they will make another USA-only vehicle, but I doubt it will stay USA-only. Other markets will want it too just like they wanted the CX-7 and CX-9.
Mazda is on to something all right, you don't need to appeal to the masses to be successful.
Doug 11:06AM (11/27/2007)
All I ask is that Mazda brings the new 6 in untouched. It doesn't need to be bigger. Accord and Camry have that covered.
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AlexP 11:17AM (11/27/2007)
Oh, the new 6 shouldn't be any different from what they've shown in Frankfurt. Only thing is they're not planning on brining the s. wagon variant.
RicardoHead 11:24AM (11/27/2007)
And they need to bring the 6 hatchback to the states. If so it is my next car.
I3ziko 11:34AM (11/27/2007)
NA will get the new mazda6 with only few cosmetic changes, like extra side markers, rear license plate on trunk instead of on bumper and fake tailpipes and of course an optional 3.7 V6 engine.
polar 11:37AM (11/27/2007)
I want the station wagon to come over!
John R 12:37PM (11/27/2007)
it better remain relatively untouched, because the one at frankfurt looked like pure sex compared to the camry, accord AND the malibu.
Aetius 11:30AM (11/27/2007)
As long as they don't make their cars US-market specific (softer, larger, blander) I'm fine with that.
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geo.stewart 11:31AM (11/27/2007)
"CUVs (it has four in the US already), "
4 CUVs?
tribute, CX7, CX9, ?
the mazda5 is a disfunctional microvan (no sliding doors)
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epilonious 11:44AM (11/27/2007)
Uh, the mazda5 has sliding doors...
Either way, I think the mazda5 is considered a CUV as it is a bloat upon the Mazda3 platform... it just doesn't look like anything other than.. a mazda5.
geo.stewart 11:53AM (11/27/2007)
I stand corrected. it was the lack of power sliding doors my wife didnt like (helps with the kids)
okay then, if that qualifies as a CUV, then so does the Caravan.
sheesh, talk about stretching the envelope.
zentrandi 12:00PM (11/27/2007)
there's also the tribute
Grassroots Racer 11:45AM (11/27/2007)
The only thing I want to see from Mazda is a Zoom-Zoom two-door, RWD, lightweight, rotary-powered sports car.
Take the RX-8 platform, fine if we must, lop two doors off, keep the rear seats, drop 400+ lbs, plug in the 16X making North of 350 BHP, price it around $40k, and they'll need all of that "lightning-fast production capability" just to keep up with demand.
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geo.stewart 11:58AM (11/27/2007)
bring over the BT-50. It looks like a better version small pickup
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Tsunami Racer 12:29PM (11/27/2007)
i usually cringe when people say "developed for the US market". usually means 20 cupholders, soft unintelligent suspension, skinny steering wheels and flat bottom seats for our hometown buffet-eating arses.
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Jeff 12:39PM (11/27/2007)
Somebody needs to make an honest compact pickup truck. Mazda would be a logical choice as an automaker who kind of specializes in niche vehicles. They would sell a boatload of them if they did it right.
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787B 1:15PM (11/27/2007)
Mazda already does, they just don't bring it to the U.S. courtesy of retarded import tariffs on trucks.
See above comment about the BT-50.
John R 12:42PM (11/27/2007)
i would love to see mazda strech out the rx-8 platform a little bit and make a RWD sedan using the Mazdaspeed 3/6's motor.
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Stéphane Dumas 2:25PM (11/27/2007)
Good idea John R. All Mazda needs is a small RWD sedan using the Mazdaspeed 3/6 engine. Also as Grassroots Racer mentionned for a modified RX-8 platform to use a conventionnal coupe and we got a nice competitor to the possible future Nissan Silvia/240SX(?), Corolla AE-86 or future GM Alpha coupe/sedans.
Also, this platform could be use for a future small RWD Ford coupe (new European Capri for example) and even some sedans (for smaller Mercurys) or a small RWD Volvo coupe (modern reincarnation of the P1800 of the 1960s)