Filed under: Japan, Hatchbacks, Mazda
Mazda2 5-door spotted in California
Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda2 in the wild
Although we've seen the Mazda2 before in 3- and 5-door configurations overseas, the presence of it at a local car meet in Southern California had us once again speculating about its sales potential in the States. The fact that the meet was held at Mazda's SoCal HQ means that the car could simply be undergoing evaluation, but judging by the reaction of the crowd, we think this has better sales potential than the 2009 Focus that was parked at the other end of the lot. While the exterior looked pretty spiffy, the interior looked cavernous. Smart design, and a worthy competitor for the Yaris, Versa and Fit. While we've heard that Ford's version of this car, the Fiesta, will make it to our shores eventually, we still don't know for sure about this lovely little Mazda. Mazda keeps waffling. We'll keep our fingers crossed, especially knowing there's that Mazdaspeed2 in the mix, at least overseas. But that's where all of the magic seems to start nowadays so there is hope.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
CalGuy 10:48AM (5/25/2008)
Mazda needs to drop the Tribute and B-Series (not that they spend a dime marketing either) and get this thing here pronto. It would jack their corporate fuel mileage averages up and expose the US to another fantastic way to beat gas prices.. while having fun. Everybody wins.
Gas isn't going cheaper -ever. China and India are all starting their engines.. $6/gallon gas is seriously close and the Fit, Yaris, smart are definitely not going to fill the demand of the market.
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Austin 12:20PM (5/25/2008)
The Tribute is one of Mazda's best selling models, i dont think they would kill it.
CalGuy 1:42PM (5/25/2008)
Wow. I'm shocked the Tribute sells. I haven't seen one in months. Not on the lot, nor on the road.. not even an HEV in hybrid-crazed San Francisco. It used to make sense against the Escape/Mariner because of better warranty, but now it's 3/36 like the rest.
Regardless.. drop the Tribute or not, bringing the Mazda 2 here would be prudent business.
Austin 3:00PM (5/25/2008)
I see a few a day in SC, theyre popular here
Michael 10:48AM (5/25/2008)
Hmm... I like it.
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geo.stewart 12:52PM (5/25/2008)
like the lotus next to it even more!
Stéphane Dumas 10:49AM (5/25/2008)
Memo to Mazda: Bring it here!! :-) We need some alternatives to the Fit and Yaris.
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Pete 11:01AM (5/26/2008)
The Yaris doesn't compare to the Versa power-wise, safety-wise, looks-wise (IMO), feature-wise, or interior-wise. All it has is better gas mileage. I would have said we need competitors to the Fit and Versa before the Yaris.
Noe 10:51AM (5/25/2008)
w.w.j.d.? 2009 fit or mazda 2???????
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:05AM (5/25/2008)
He'd just fly by cloud silly
1337 1:52PM (5/25/2008)
Mazda3>Fit>Mazda2
almost Dr. G.. 11:00AM (5/25/2008)
i see one or two of these daily here in costa rica. i must say that for what it is its a really nice little car. the design is far more captivating than others in the same segment. i hope they start shipping them to the US too..
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:08AM (5/25/2008)
Being a regular there I must say that car was suspiciously well placed to make sure we all saw it was there. Most the time things like this are either in the spectator parking lot where nobody notices them or locked away in the secured parking structure.
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bobfranks 11:23AM (5/25/2008)
Bring it! America needs it.
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CalGuy 11:26AM (5/25/2008)
I hope Mazda thinks outside the box (first by bringing it to the US at ALL) but then by offering some equipment the competition NEVER offers...
Sunroof
Heated Seats...
These are things people with big cars are used to.. and no other tiny car except MINI offers. As we move from the large to the modest, giving up the treats is no fun.
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Dustin 12:07AM (5/26/2008)
unfortunately there's a reason why there's a dearth of upmarket compacts here in the US.....we don't buy them. That's why the Euro focus is very nice while ours is an econobox.
I think we Americans have the general disposition that if you spend more on a car, it should be bigger.
inteller 11:32AM (5/25/2008)
OMG that car is HAWT! I'll take one red MS2 please!
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Don 11:35AM (5/25/2008)
That's right Mazda...keep waffling. That's brilliant.
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VictorRaikkonen 11:38AM (5/25/2008)
Yea, I see those things on a daily basis here in Oz and they are pretty sway... maybe if you yanks are good this year Santa Mazda will bring you a 2.
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AngeloD 11:41AM (5/25/2008)
From the article:
""but judging by the reaction of the crowd, we think this has better sales potential than the 2009 Focus that was parked at the other end of the lot""
Nice car. However, what other type of reaction would you expect to a new Mazda model at the Mazda corporate headquarters?
Focus sales are up 36% in the first quarter of this year, so somebody must like them. They are a good seller for Ford. Most reviewers describe them as a very competent small car.
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