Mazda to offer three 6s: Flagship flies as sedan, wagon, hatchback
From Automotivenews.com:
LOS ANGELES - Mazda North American Operations will launch a three-pronged attack on the mid-sized sedan segment next year, even though it will replace the aging 626 and upscale Millenia with a single entry, the 6.
Dealers said last week that the 6 will come in sedan, hatchback and station wagon versions, where the 626 is a sedan only, and that the Millenia will be dropped. The hatchback and wagon versions of the 6 had been destined for the European and Japanese markets only.
"We start with the sedan, to be followed by the five-door and then the hatchback," said Bill Cook, president of Imported Cars Inc. of Farmington Hills, Mich. Cook is on Mazda's National Dealer Advisory Council.
The 6, which goes on sale this fall, will take on the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Honda Accord in the highly competitive mid-sized segment. The Camry, Altima and Accord do not have hatchback or wagons available.
Mazda has said the 6, while replacing the 626 and Millenia, will be priced at the level of the 626, which starts at $19,215, including $480 for delivery. It will be Mazda's flagship vehicle, the company said.
The company has not given any details regarding volume or engine availability in the hatchback or wagon. The sedan will come to the United States with a 3.2-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine as standard and an optional 3.0-liter V-6.
Mazda last year sold 50,997 626s and 19,849 Millenias. It has not made sales projections for the 6.
Meanwhile, dealers attending the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans last week said the company is planning a roadster to join the Miata.
Mazda has not given details on the roadster, but has said it would look for more uses for the new RX-8 platform. The RX-8, a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a 250-hp rotary engine, will be on sale next year.
Aside from new products, Mazda management told dealers the company was seeking ways to add production volume. Mazda dealers need more vehicles to sell, as sales of the Tribute sport-utility and Protege compact sedan increased significantly last year.
Dealers were told that Mazda Motor Corp. President Mark Fields and Mazda North American chief Charlie Hughes are attempting to make a case to parent Ford Motor Co. to allocate more resources to Mazda production.
Cook said Fields and Hughes have made it clear that increased production for Mazda is a priority.
Linear Mode
