Mazda's CX-30 Gets A Turbo
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Date: 2020-09-17
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Comments and reviews: 9
Stephen
I'm afraid Mazda's efforts with the CX-30 and CX-3 won't do what they hope -- reverse their dismal overall sales across their lineup. Reports beginning in May indicate Mazda is seeking to counter the company's worst sales in 20 years via loans totaling 2. 8 BILLION ) from Japanese banks. Sales in 2019 were already the worst in years even before the impact of the pandemic. Sales in 2020 are even worse.
The CX-9 continues to be the slowest selling midsize mainstream 3 row SUV in the market by a huge margin. Sales of the Mazda3 (sedan and hatchbacks) in the US are down 43% in 2020 to a total of slightly over 16, 000 units. That's compared to almost 52, 000 sales of the VW Jetta and Golf, hardly the best selling duo in the compact segment. The Mazda6 has never been a strong seller and the midsize sedan market continues to be soft but sales in 2020 have cratered to slightly more than 8000 units, down 38% compared to the first half of 2019. Again, even the slow selling VW Passat had better sales of over 10, 000 units in 2020. Sales of the CX-30 in 2020 are strong in comparison to those categories (17, 000) but they come at the expense in part of the CX-3 where sales have dipped 30% to fewer than 4800 units. It's likely Mazda will drop that model in the US.
Now Mazda hopes to increase sales and the brand's tiny market share in the US by offering the same engine/drive train combo in the CX-30, the Mazda3, the CX-5, the Mazda6, and the CX-9. That's a recipe for Mazda models to cannibalize the sales of its other models. Especially vulnerable may be the CX-5, the only model in the Mazda lineup with relatively strong sales (65, 000 units) even with a 13% decline in the first half of 2020.
In short, Mazda is in serious trouble in terms of sales, a situation that has been made worse but did not originate with the impact of the pandemic. And before anyone claims the figures above are only from US sales, the overall picture from other international markets is even worse. Finally, anyone who believes Mazda can dig itself out of its hole by selling more lower priced (and lower profit) small models while sacrificing sales of larger, higher profit models doesn't understand the automotive industry. Adding performance options to the Mazda3 and CX-30 won't help much, if at all. Here's hoping Japanese banks bail out the brand but I'm skeptical even an infusion of 2. 8 billion will provide the needed investment.
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I'm afraid Mazda's efforts with the CX-30 and CX-3 won't do what they hope -- reverse their dismal overall sales across their lineup. Reports beginning in May indicate Mazda is seeking to counter the company's worst sales in 20 years via loans totaling 2. 8 BILLION ) from Japanese banks. Sales in 2019 were already the worst in years even before the impact of the pandemic. Sales in 2020 are even worse.
The CX-9 continues to be the slowest selling midsize mainstream 3 row SUV in the market by a huge margin. Sales of the Mazda3 (sedan and hatchbacks) in the US are down 43% in 2020 to a total of slightly over 16, 000 units. That's compared to almost 52, 000 sales of the VW Jetta and Golf, hardly the best selling duo in the compact segment. The Mazda6 has never been a strong seller and the midsize sedan market continues to be soft but sales in 2020 have cratered to slightly more than 8000 units, down 38% compared to the first half of 2019. Again, even the slow selling VW Passat had better sales of over 10, 000 units in 2020. Sales of the CX-30 in 2020 are strong in comparison to those categories (17, 000) but they come at the expense in part of the CX-3 where sales have dipped 30% to fewer than 4800 units. It's likely Mazda will drop that model in the US.
Now Mazda hopes to increase sales and the brand's tiny market share in the US by offering the same engine/drive train combo in the CX-30, the Mazda3, the CX-5, the Mazda6, and the CX-9. That's a recipe for Mazda models to cannibalize the sales of its other models. Especially vulnerable may be the CX-5, the only model in the Mazda lineup with relatively strong sales (65, 000 units) even with a 13% decline in the first half of 2020.
In short, Mazda is in serious trouble in terms of sales, a situation that has been made worse but did not originate with the impact of the pandemic. And before anyone claims the figures above are only from US sales, the overall picture from other international markets is even worse. Finally, anyone who believes Mazda can dig itself out of its hole by selling more lower priced (and lower profit) small models while sacrificing sales of larger, higher profit models doesn't understand the automotive industry. Adding performance options to the Mazda3 and CX-30 won't help much, if at all. Here's hoping Japanese banks bail out the brand but I'm skeptical even an infusion of 2. 8 billion will provide the needed investment.
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Mark
I have to hand it to you, because I would have a hard time maintaining your level of interest an enthusiasm when it comes to everyday, run of the mill vehicles if I was also reviewing powerful high end European offerings along with the variety of other exotics that you test drive on a daily basis. This, (along with trucks) is the segment where the vast majority of us shop. That's the reason I lost interest in Doug DeMuro's reviews. You can see and hear the dismissive condescension whenever he reviews lesser, workday vehicles. This is not to criticize, because I know that after tooling around in a Bugatti, a Rolls, or a Ferrari, I wouldn't be all that excited about getting behind the wheel of a Mazda either. That said, I can't wait to test drive the turbo CX-30 myself.
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I have to hand it to you, because I would have a hard time maintaining your level of interest an enthusiasm when it comes to everyday, run of the mill vehicles if I was also reviewing powerful high end European offerings along with the variety of other exotics that you test drive on a daily basis. This, (along with trucks) is the segment where the vast majority of us shop. That's the reason I lost interest in Doug DeMuro's reviews. You can see and hear the dismissive condescension whenever he reviews lesser, workday vehicles. This is not to criticize, because I know that after tooling around in a Bugatti, a Rolls, or a Ferrari, I wouldn't be all that excited about getting behind the wheel of a Mazda either. That said, I can't wait to test drive the turbo CX-30 myself.
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Richard
Alex, why do you and your reviewer pals like Sofyan, Doug DeMuro etc. love these expensive unreliable turbocharged vehicles so much? Most buyers in the sub-compact crossover and compact car segment are looking for reliable affordable vehicles, not these rich men's play toys. Legendary mechanic Scotty Kilmer has stated that turbo engines are not reliable and recommends buying the 2020/2021 Corolla instead.
2020/2021 Corolla SE looks very attractive, is extremely fun to drive, and has a very reliable dual injected naturally aspirated 2 liter engine. Corolla beats Mazda any day.
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Alex, why do you and your reviewer pals like Sofyan, Doug DeMuro etc. love these expensive unreliable turbocharged vehicles so much? Most buyers in the sub-compact crossover and compact car segment are looking for reliable affordable vehicles, not these rich men's play toys. Legendary mechanic Scotty Kilmer has stated that turbo engines are not reliable and recommends buying the 2020/2021 Corolla instead.
2020/2021 Corolla SE looks very attractive, is extremely fun to drive, and has a very reliable dual injected naturally aspirated 2 liter engine. Corolla beats Mazda any day.
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Valor_X
I love the look and the actual higher ground clearance of the CX-30 but the belt-line is deceivingly MUCH higher, they are hiding it with the black plastic cladding. The door windows start at my shoulder level, it's impossible to comfortably rest your elbow on it with the window down. The windows are very small and visibility is hindered. It's not as bad on the 3
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I love the look and the actual higher ground clearance of the CX-30 but the belt-line is deceivingly MUCH higher, they are hiding it with the black plastic cladding. The door windows start at my shoulder level, it's impossible to comfortably rest your elbow on it with the window down. The windows are very small and visibility is hindered. It's not as bad on the 3
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Andrew
I really do wish they'd update their 6-speed. I know it's been updated over the years, but the SKY-Drive has to be close to 9-10 years old at this point. The car world has moved on to 8-, 9-, and even 10-speed transmissions. I hope when the rumored rear-wheel drive Mazda6 replacement sees the world, it has a better transmission to go with the rumored inline 6
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I really do wish they'd update their 6-speed. I know it's been updated over the years, but the SKY-Drive has to be close to 9-10 years old at this point. The car world has moved on to 8-, 9-, and even 10-speed transmissions. I hope when the rumored rear-wheel drive Mazda6 replacement sees the world, it has a better transmission to go with the rumored inline 6
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Mark
I have an '07 Hyundai Sonata with a 5 speed transmission, and my wife's '09 Civic has only four gears, and they both work just fine.
Less gears = Less that can wrong.
I was looking at buying a new Honda Ridgeline because I like a naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in combination with a six speed trans, but they went to a nine speed this year.
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I have an '07 Hyundai Sonata with a 5 speed transmission, and my wife's '09 Civic has only four gears, and they both work just fine.
Less gears = Less that can wrong.
I was looking at buying a new Honda Ridgeline because I like a naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in combination with a six speed trans, but they went to a nine speed this year.
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J.
You lost me at 'absolutely gorgeous. ' It looks like an uglier, smaller CX-5. I hate the massive unpainted fenders and bumpers. It doesn't look rugged on this design, it just looks cheap. The interior is nice though.
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You lost me at 'absolutely gorgeous. ' It looks like an uglier, smaller CX-5. I hate the massive unpainted fenders and bumpers. It doesn't look rugged on this design, it just looks cheap. The interior is nice though.
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KL
A refined 6 speed slushbox is much better than a jerky or indecisive 8 or 9 speed. And I will take it any day over a CVT or DCT for a daily driver.
Big question is, will it have wireless Carplay like the CX-5?
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A refined 6 speed slushbox is much better than a jerky or indecisive 8 or 9 speed. And I will take it any day over a CVT or DCT for a daily driver.
Big question is, will it have wireless Carplay like the CX-5?
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future62
Not sure why people are hating on more gears. My TLX has the 9 speed. 33+ MPG at 80MPH is no problem. Similarly powerful + heavy cars with 4-6 speeds can't do that. They're not geared long enough
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Not sure why people are hating on more gears. My TLX has the 9 speed. 33+ MPG at 80MPH is no problem. Similarly powerful + heavy cars with 4-6 speeds can't do that. They're not geared long enough
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