Mazda6 safe in Australia for now as Japan winds down
Japanese sales to end but production for Australia of Mazda’s mid-size sedan and wagon will continueThe first death knell has just sounded for the long-standing Mazda6, which will be axed from the Japanese market in the second quarter of this year.
However, Mazda will continue production of the mid-size sedan and wagon for select countries – including Australia – for the time being.
Mazda head office made the announcement on January 19 and stipulated the Mazda6’s role would be taken over by the ever-popular CX SUV portfolio once production of domestic cars ends in April.
This suggests that a new-generation Mazda6 isn’t in the pipeline – at least as we know it.
“Successive Atenzas and Mazda6s have been loved by many customers for a long time, with a cumulative total of 226,437 units sold in Japan,” said Mazda Japan domestic sales boss Kazuyoshi Todo.
“The CX series of wagons will take over this role, and we will continue to deliver a lively experience to our customers through driving pleasure that is in tune with the times.”
But in a statement issued to Australian media this week, Mazda said it will continue producing vehicles for our market.
“We will continue to build Mazda6 in Japan for Australia and some other markets,” the company said.
“This also remains unchanged for its local assembly in Vietnam.”
Exactly how long the Mazda6 will be available in Australia remains to be seen, but it could be only a matter of months, as was the case with the Mazda CX-8 and MX-30 – both recently axed from our market earlier than anticipated.
Mazda Australia has previously suggested the current-generation Mazda6 would remain in showrooms for another couple of years, but its axing in Japan – which follows its exit from the UK market – casts a shadow over ongoing right-hand drive production.
Mazda is yet to confirm whether the Mazda6 will be replaced by a long-mooted rear-drive sports sedan or fastback armed with a turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine and primed to take on Genesis, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
Overseas reports have suggested the Genesis G70 fighter would be underpinned by an adapted version of the Large Product Group platform, as used in the Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 luxury SUVs, which have both drawn praise for their new-generation straight-six powertrains.
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