Hey SAM how was the protege in comparison to the 3? I don't remember Mazda having such strong sales.
That's the thing. Everyone attributes all the success to the 3, but the Protegé was already a very strong seller in Canada. Big boost came in 2002 when the Protegé5 came on the scene timed with the sedan getting a mild freshening adding more equipment and sportier trim levels. Hence why Mazda Canada felt it necessary to have the 3 launch adds (print, poster, and I believe TV) mention the Protegé so buyers made the connection and transition smoothly - I think they were nervous. Pretty sure back then Protegé was the 3rd best selling car (remember the Cavalier/Sunfire were around back then). Don't recall exactly, but it was no slouch, that's for sure.
The Civic vs Mazda3 war is really heating up in Canada.
Sadly, VWs Rabbit doesn't have a chance to come close due to limited units for Canada.
Just wondering, does the Hatch-only style put off buyers?
I see far more Maz3 sedans than Hatches...just wondering if that kind of buyer is preferential to it.
To most customers, it does.
The North american market has a stronger preference towards sedans over hatchbacks/wagons.
And since the Mazda3 sport hatch is based on the Mazda3 sedan, the Mazda3 sedan is less expensive than the hatch.
But for VW the Jetta is based on the Rabbit, so the Jetta is more expensive than the Rabbit.
VW uses the Jetta City as the Mazda3 sedan competitor, and the MKV Jetta against the Mazda6.