Automotive News - June 2, 2008 - (Page 24)

24 • JUNE 2, 2008 Mazda6 set to take on mid-sized sedan heavyweights Mark Rechtin mrechtin@crain.com The Mazda6 grows up The redesigned 2009 sedan is bigger and more powerful than the outgoing version. 2009 MAZDA6 2008 MAZDA6 LOS ANGELES — The problem with global vehicle platforms is that what works in one national market may not be right for another. In the case of the outgoing Mazda6 mid-sized sedan, the U.S. market was stuck with a car that was too small and underpowered. It was a cruiserweight fighting in the heavyweight class. For the 2009 redesign, Mazda used a larger platform modified for U.S. buyers. The result: a true rival to the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. The basics: Having grown 4.5 inches in wheelbase and nearly 7 inches overall, the redesigned Mazda6 has dimensions that place it near the top of the mid-sized sedan segment. The base engine goes toe-to-toe with segment leaders, and the optional V-6 is the largest and most powerful in the competitive set. Add to that the sporty styling that has become a Mazda hallmark, and the chances to conquest from the three dominant Japanese entrants just got a lot better. Mazda built sedan, five-door hatch and wagon variants of the outgoing model. The hatch and wagon were not hot sellers, and the added assembly line complexity hurt quality. The 2009 Mazda6 comes only as a sedan. Notable features: Standard features include 16-inch wheels, halogen headlights, rear-window defogger, intermittent wipers, split fold- Wheelbase Length Width Height Base engine Horsepower Torque, in lbs.-ft. Optional engine Curb weight On-sale date EPA mpg Base price * Estimated 109.8 in. 194.5 in. 72.4 in. 57.9 in. 2.5-liter inline-4 170 @ 6,000 rpm 167 @ 4,000 rpm 3.7-liter V-6, 272 hp 3,258 lbs. Late August 21 city/29 hwy. (I-4 manual) $19,735* 105.3 in. 186.8 in. 70.1 in. 56.7 in. 2.3-liter inline-4 156 @ 6,500 rpm 154 @ 4,000 rpm 3.0-liter V-6, 212hp 3,091 lbs. Now 21 city/29 hwy. (I-4 manual) $19,790 w/shipping To take on segment competitors such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, the 2009 Mazda6 was buffed up on the inside, above, and out. down rear seats, six-speaker CD stereo with MP3 compatibility, air conditioning with pollen filter and disc brakes at all corners. Standard safety features include dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution and six airbags. Whereas many sedan trunks open with hinges that intrude on luggage space, the Mazda6 uses elegant gas struts. The Mazda6 is also one of the few mid-sized sedans that offers 18inch wheels. What Mazda says: “This car gives us the opportunity to take away from the edges of Camry, Accord and Altima,” said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations. “We have a game-changer that can get the buyer who wants sporty fun and style and who wants to get away from the appliances.” Compromises and shortcomings: Like BMW, Mazda’s upshift/downshift controls on the auto-manual gearbox are backward compared to the industry standard. To give the car a sportier ride, Mazda made the suspension a little too busy and not quite supple enough. The coupelike roofline means backseat passengers forfeit headroom and can get baked by the sun. The seats could use better lumbar support. The optional Sirius radio has many updated functions but no “live traffic” setting for the navigation system. The market: While the Camry, Accord and Altima have increased sales over the past decade, the Mazda6 has been flat. To start, Mazda wants to sell 100,000 units of the new one annually in North America, including about 75,000 in the United States. Mazda sold 57,585 Mazda6s in the United States last year, down from 66,203 in 2006. Mazda has the capacity at its Flat Rock, Mich., plant to build 125,000 units on straight time. Mazda expects a 70-30 split between four-cylinder and six-cylinder production. The skinny: Sportier in appearance, the Mazda6 now has the features and size to go after the competition. Look at what happened when the Mazda3 succeeded the dowdy Protege. The same kind of success could happen with the Mazda6.c http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com

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Automotive News - June 2, 2008 Gas prices fuel industry's new era Chrysler faces tricky dealer mergers Honda may crank out more Civics in N.A. Mercedes will move into Chrysler Pacifica studio Ford to offer hatchback version of Fiesta Prestige Automotive sells stores but keeps Black Enterprise top spot Dealership marketers take to text messaging Senate to hear personal pleas on roof crush rule Magazine: Chrysler, Fiat are talking Former Fla. dealer gets jail for bilking bank That guy Alfred had possibilities Ford will make next Mustang look smaller Pontiac subcompact may come to U.S. GM: Battery glitch cuts hybrid sales Porsche exec: CAFE 'will not change our nature' Japanese rivals race for lithium batteries Jatco boosts CVT capacity in Mexico for N.A. vehicles Mercury deserves a better chance Rising gas prices have changed the U.S. market Marketing and sales: Context and content Mexico's Nemak grows beyond North America Buyers didn't quit GM; GM quit on its buyers Brand perceptions change slowly Bloggers are journalists, too Nice HQ, Nissan, but where's Nobe? Chrysler's Chernoby: Growing up gearhead Picture this Mitsubishi hopes new gearbox widens Evo's appeal Openlane gets funds Obituaries Survey: Going green can get your auto ad noticed Inrix: Router can reduce traffic delays Mazda6 gets own platform for U.S. ... sort of Mazda6 set to take on mid-sized sedan heavyweights Troubled or not, the United States still beckons What's next? More transplant models headed this way Exports help as Mitsubishi sorts things out Irma Elder: 'This is one of the toughest times we have had' Fitzgerald: Dealers, consumers need alliance Can Bertone design a comeback? Family-owned business struggles for survival Some design houses fall on tough times Hughes: Not a subscriber? No problem American Axle lines up new non-U.S. business GM think tank works to boost service business Toyota offers gas card as tire incentive VW turns to common software to develop products Continental's Calif. office targets Asian carmakers ZF sees chassis, axle opportunities in N.A. Flex: A new Ford image ... or just over the top? Ford targeted Flex interior quiet, ride Ex-dealership managers say firings were over religion Dealers Genesis in Toledo: It's a long story Back woes sideline Nardelli GM: 19,000 take buyouts Panama to head Nissan Mexicana Wilhite jumps to Jumpstart Dauch sons move up, out Kozyra leaves Continental Ford to lay off salaried staff More small cars to arrive in 2009-10 Even on used market, big trucks go begging Auto advertisers adopt mpg mantra Industry to motorists: We're here to help Diesel prices hit suppliers' Mexico sites Can Camry catch F series? Leno's words of wisdom for automakers Nissan's carbon credits ease global warming guilt Automotive CEOs' pay pales next to peers' Year of the Small Car can't come too soon Foreign suppliers adding capacity in Southeast From cows to kimchi: Making Alabama sweet home for Koreans After light-truck push, cars are king again Mexican suppliers expect sales record in '08

Automotive News - June 2, 2008

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