Topic: Mazda5 To Get Axed In US, Will Stay In Canadian Lineup

[dkaz]

My head was touching the headliner in the third row when we test drove a 2013 Grand Caravan, but nothing terrible.

So gave the third row access rating a below average for the Sienna and Odyssey. Did they test the 7 or 8 seater configurations I wonder? And did it go against captain or bench seats in the 2nd row for the Grand Caravan?

I tried sliding the 2nd row of the Odyssey together and oddly, it seems more difficult to access the 3rd row through there, contrary to what I would've believed. It's easier to scoot over a seat than through the centre walkthrough. Plus it makes it easier for a driver to scoot to the back to deal with 3rd row kids. When the vehicle is safely parked, of course.

[Solstice2006]

Or you can have the best of both worlds, a Mazda5 GT and a Honda Odyssey.....A caravan wasn't even on my radar.  I have no faith in getting to 300k on the Caravan...And the resale value on the Mazda and the Honda is more than any Chrysler.

[Snowman]

The end is near.

[mmret]

Shame. They never put any R&D money into this thing so its basically ancient.

Would have thought with the GC soon to be out of the picture that Mazda could have the low-priced sliding doors market entirely to themselves.

I mean would it kill them to raid the parts bin for a refresh? They have a lot of new stuff they could use...

IMHO this thing is not really meant to be a true "minivan" entry but surely there is some appeal to a family of 4 to have a tall wagon with sliding doors. Surely. Way more utility per dollar than a CUV. But I guess the CUV has cool factor...

[dkaz]

It's their 4th model year in this generation, so I suspect a new model will come next year or the year after at the very latest. I have not seen any redesigned Mazda Premacies yet overseas, but seeing how the 2014 Mazda 3 was unveiled globally in June 2013 after hiding in complete secrecy and then arrived in Canadian dealers by October, we never know what Mazda has up their sleeves.

I thought the Grand Caravan was going to live on in Canada. In the US where Grand Caravan and Town & Country sales are equal, the Grand Caravan is being axed.

[dkaz]

Some rough translated articles:

California, KompasOtomotif - It's hard to stem the current trend is on the rise and possess the car users in the world. Some models are becoming obsolete and switch to a compact crossover. One of them experienced the Mazda5 MPV in the United States (USA) who continue to be depressed because a lot of people "migrate" to follow the trend.

As predicted by Automotive News and quoted Leftlanenews, (08/26/2014), the Mazda5 will no longer exist in the United States market starting next year. Cause, MPV users there are now more and more are more interested in buying a compact crossover SUV or mini as a daily vehicle.

Actually, the model is called Premacy in Japan is quite successful. In addition to offering smaller dimensions, but in the available space is quite a relief. This MPV also has steady control as a sedan.

Although it has some advantages, it still flows strong unstoppable trend change. In the USA, sales stands at 22,000 units in 2008, down dramatically's only 13,800 units last year. Mazda will be the focus of marketing crossover models like the CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9.

The news about the Mazda5 who retired this can not be confirmed. Moreover, it is not followed by a discontinuous news globally. Therefore, from the data of Mazda Motor Corporation, this model includes still pretty much accounted for sales. The total in the last fiscal year Mazda5 59 263 units sold globally, the contribution from the markets of Japan, USA, Europe, China, and Asia and Oceania.

Of those 59,263 units, 3,459 were sold in Canada and 13,884 in the US.

Both down from the peak in 2008 with 11,944 sold in Canada and 20,021 in the US.

Tokyo, KompasOtomotif - According to Automotive News, Monday (08/25/2014), Mazda confirmed it will market the new crossover, the CX-3, in June 2015 as a 2016 model of this Decision relating to the expiration of the production of the MPV Mazda5 (Mazda Premacy in Japan) in 2015.

Mazda5 segment continued to erode since 2011, and there is no longer any reason to maintain. Mazda saw a huge demand throughout the world focused on the crossover segment will be assigned to the CX-3. This latest flagship will compete with the Nissan Juke and Honda HR-V.

Using the same platform as the All-New Mazda2 hatchback, but the higher dimensions. SUV body proportions, different from the Mazda3.

Equipped with SKYACTIV technology on 2.0L engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Also mentioned, the possibility to offer a manual transmission version.

This information has not been submitted by Mazda to the public, but the state has confirmed that CX-3 market is the United States.

So refreshing the Mazda 5/Premacy does not appear to be a priority for Mazda at the moment, even on a global level.

[Bubba]

Mazda CanadaVerified account ‏@mazdacanada

We are not cancelling the Mazda5. There will be a 2016 model year.

[tortoise]

But will it be the same dinosaur soldering on?

[tortoise]

Good catch. When I looked at that I thought it was wrong. I was too tired to do anything about it.

I agree that the first generation has a crap-plastic interior but the current one is a bit better. 

Seats are a personal thing and find them to be comfortable, even after 5+ hours.

The big issue is that it was designed for the 2006 model year and hasn't undergone an overhaul.  Compared to the Rondo it is painfully clear how archaic it really is.

[SKYMTL]

Had Mazda upgraded this to match their newer generation of cars I think it would have sold very well.  However with the less expensive Kia Rondo and the slightly more expensive B250 with its optional AWD system and upcoming BMW 2-series Active Tourer, Mazda is in a tough place with this one.  I think they could have been on top had some money been invested in this since its the perfect vehicle for city-dwelling millennials. 

[OliverD]

Good catch. When I looked at that I thought it was wrong. I was too tired to do anything about it.

I agree that the first generation has a crap-plastic interior but the current one is a bit better. 

Seats are a personal thing and find them to be comfortable, even after 5+ hours.

The big issue is that it was designed for the 2006 model year and hasn't undergone an overhaul.  Compared to the Rondo it is painfully clear how archaic it really is.

You mean 2010.

[Solstice2006]

^^ What about 2010?   That was the last MY before it was refreshed.  2012 got the 2.5L engine to replace the 2.3L and some interior improvements, exterior changes, looked more swoopy like a Hyundai, more ugly...

[OliverD]

Sorry, I meant 2012.

[tortoise]

You mean 2010.

No, I meant 2006.

The 2012 model was a light refresh of the previous generation. The interior (except centre stack) and the chassis are the exact same.  All that the 2012 received was new styling and a new engine, new transmission along with some minor suspension tweaks.

It is in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

[Solstice2006]

You mean 2010.

No, I meant 2006.

The 2012 model was a light refresh of the previous generation. The interior (except centre stack) and the chassis are the exact same.  All that the 2012 received was new styling and a new engine, new transmission along with some minor suspension tweaks.

It is in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

I am sure we all agree that the Mazda5 needs a new overhaul.  It needs the new Mazda3 platform, Skyactiv, and the interior of the Mazda3.  But I wouldn't call the 2012 update a "light refresh" they did more than most companies do.  Engine, transmission, exterior styling, and minor interior updates.  Most change the paint colors, wheels, lights, change the grill, and add a couple of things extra to the trim, and thats the midcycle update.

[OliverD]

That's still an overhaul in my books, if not a ground-up redesign. And it's not just the centre stack that was changed - the entire upper dashboard is different, as is the steering wheel. It was a fairly thorough refresh.

[tortoise]

Engine, transmission, exterior styling, and minor interior updates.  Most change the paint colors, wheels, lights, change the grill, and add a couple of things extra to the trim, and thats the midcycle update.

Mazda did that for the 2008 model.  New automatic transmission and some interior and exterior tweaks.    That was their mid-cycle update.  The 2012 was basically the same, just a little further.

That's still an overhaul in my books... It was a fairly thorough refresh.

Which was it?

I agree it was a thorough refresh.  My point is that they really need to redesign it from the ground up with more fuel efficient engines and a nicer interior if they want it to keep selling.

[Solstice2006]

Probably will never happen, Mazda is too small to do Canada only vehicles like the Kia Rondo (which only sold just over 5000 units for 2014), compared to 3700 units for the much older Mazda5.  Not exactly encouraging news.  There is a lack of interest, unfortunately.  For 2015, the Rondo has sold 575, and the Mazda5 454.  So the Kia isn't doing that great either....

[tortoise]

Sadly, I think you are right.  I really like ours and I will contend that it is the perfect vehicle for a young family of 4.   I just wish it had more power and better fuel economy.

[dkaz]

Demand might pick up if the cheap Grand Caravans disappear.