Autoblog

Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mazda, Subaru

Mazda6 and Subaru Tribeca - Click either image for high-res gallery

The Subaru Tribeca and Mazda6 haven't exactly set the U.S. auto market ablaze, and a report in AutoWeek (citing Japan's Nikkan Kogyo) claims that both models could meet an untimely demise.

The Tribeca has been unpopular seemingly since the day it was introduced as the B9 Tribeca, and recent sales figures show that the Subaru crossover has only found 910 new homes so far in 2011. Subaru attempted to increase interest in the CUV by giving it a new face, but buyers have been mostly unimpressed. And since other Subaru models are selling like hotcakes, the Tribeca is doing little more than taking up space at the automaker's Indiana assembly plant. The automaker has reportedly already stopped research and development on the next generation Tribeca, which definitely isn't a good sign.

While the Tribeca has been something of a sales catastrophe, the Mazda6 hasn't been quite as big of a dud, but it has serially underperformed. Mazda was looking to move about 100,000 units per year out of its Flat Rock, MI plant, but sales haven't been quite so robust. The Japanese automaker sold only 45,168 units in 2010, which has led to speculation that Mazda may quit producing the model at the facility.

Mazda hasn't divulged any plans regarding the 6, but speculation is that the automaker could move out of Flat Rock altogether, leaving the facility to Ford, which produces the Mustang at the plant. One rumor has Mazda moving to a new facility in Mexico, where labor costs are much lower than in the States.

If Subaru opts to stop making the Tribeca in the U.S., the CUV is likely dead forever. That's not necessarily the case with the Mazda6, though, as Mazda could potentially import the mid-size sedan from other markets. Neither Subaru or Mazda have announced any plans about either vehicle or their production plans in North America.

Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congrats, Mazda! Two millionth Mazda6 rolls off the line

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mazda

2011 Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Milestones and goals are great things to strive for in life. Mazda just reached a pretty impressive one with their mid-size Mazda6. The two millionth example has just rolled off the assembly line. It took the Japanese automaker eight years and six months to get here.

Production began on the first generation Mazda6 back in 2002 and it served to give the Zoom-Zoom campaign a major push. That first-gen car was redesigned in 2007 (the changes arrived in the US in 2009) and a third generation will be arriving soon.

Take a look at the gallery and you can see that the why-so-serious mug has been toned down. The style is more mature without losing the subtle aggressiveness found in the rest of the lineup. The future looks bright for the Mazda6. Now if we can just get them to bring over the wagon and the Mazdaspeed6 we could push them to three million units even faster.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Congrats, Mazda! Two millionth Mazda6 rolls off the line

Congrats, Mazda! Two millionth Mazda6 rolls off the line originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You'll never guess which midsize sedan wins MT's latest comparo...

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota

2010 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ah yes, the good ol' midsize sedan. Bastion of the American family car set and holder of most automaker's sales crowns, as well as that of the best-selling automobile in the United States. As pointed out by Motor Trend, only three car nameplates have held the top sales spot in America in the last 20 years: the Ford Taurus, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Of course, the current midsize sedan sales leader is none other than the aforementioned Camry. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you're certainly aware that Toyota has found itself in the hot seat with numerous claims of unintended acceleration and two separate recalls that are meant to deal with such safety defects.

Besides its recent safety woes, Toyota has had to deal with constant pressure from every other automaker seeking to dethrone the Camry as the midsize sales leader. So, the natural question is whether or not the segment stalwart can maintain its edge in the face of such stiff competition and a newly sullied reputation. MT sought the answer in its latest comparo.

These days, Ford's numero-uno midsize sedan is the Fusion, which was significantly redesigned this year, and that car won the coveted Motor Trend Car of the Year Award for 2010. Also new-for-2010 (as a 2011 model) are the Hyundai Sonata, which features swoopy new duds and a high-tech four-cylinder powertrain, and the Subaru Legacy, which is the only model in the segment to come standard with all-wheel drive.

Though not all-new for '10, the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima are certainly perennial power players in the midsize sedan segment, and as such were included in MT's comparison test. With introductions out of the way, who do you think could have grabbed the top spot in Motor Trend's comparison test of these seven leading midsize sedans? Hint: See the photo above. Suffice it to say... we were a bit surprised. Click here to see for yourself.

In related news, the boys from Inside Line have gone a slightly different route with a much smaller midsize sedan comparison, pitting the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010 Mazda6 and 2010 Honda Accord together in a winner-takes-all fight. Click here for the results.

Do you agree with either MT or IL, or would you rank them totally differently? Have your say in 'Comments.'

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Sources: Motor Trend, Inside Line]

You'll never guess which midsize sedan wins MT's latest comparo... originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Refreshed 2010 Mazda6 shows off its new face

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Mazda

2010 Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, Mazda rolled out a (very) slightly freshened version of its midsize Mazda6 sedan this week at the Geneva Motor Show. Of course, we pointed our camera lenses in its general direction to snap off this series of live images for your viewing pleasure. Remember that this car is known as the Atenza in its home market of Japan.

Note the reworked fascia that includes a more sharply defined five-point grille opening flanked by larger air intakes that include small round fog lights. Out back, the taillight housings are slightly reshaped. Besides those external changes, there are a couple new wheel choices and piano black trim inside that matches similar finishes in Mazda's other offerings. See all the updates for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Mazda6

Geneva 2010: Refreshed 2010 Mazda6 shows off its new face originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 debuts with new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Japan

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Japan, Mazda

2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Mazda Atenza (Mazda6) is due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and in addition to a slight nip and tuck, the JDM version of Mazda's mid-size sedan is packing an all-new 2.0-liter inline-four with direct injection.

Although the styling tweaks are subtle, the new front fascia benefits from a mildly reworked grille, bumper and enlarged side air intakes, along with new 17- and 18-inch wheels and taillight housings. The interior remains largely the same, save new piano black trim on the center console, shift knob and door handles, and surrounding the audio and climate controls.

Mazda remains mum on details about the direct-injected four pot, but don't be surprised to find the refreshed 2011 Mazda6 in dealers later this year, with the exception of the wagon, which remains a Japan-, Europe- and Australia-only affair. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6

Continue reading Refreshed 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 debuts with new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Japan

Refreshed 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 debuts with new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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