A report from Japanese business magazine Nikkei emerged a couple of days ago, suggesting Mazda is almost ready to join the small crossover market. It states the new car will be based on the new Mazda2, also known as the Demio in Japan. Weirdly, both are supposed to come out at the same time: this summer.
Mazda refused to confirm this report, calling it speculative. But the CX-3 crossover has been rumored ever since 2012 and would make perfect sense given global crossover demand is at its highest right now.
The only problem with Nikkei's report is that it ignores Mazda's past model launches. Before the new CX-5, there was the Minagi concept of 2011, while the new Mazda6 was previewed by the Takeri concept the same year. It's likely a preview of the CX-5 is what we'll be seeing this summer.
Even if the Mazda crossover is to be revealed this summer, we wouldn't be able to actually buy it. That's because, just like the Honda Vezel it would only be available in Japan at first, priced from around 1.5 million yen. Europe will get the crossover next, but there's no mention of US availability.
Nikkei also writes that a new CX-9 is to be launched in 2015. After canceling the CX-7 because it overlapped with the CX-5, Mazda will make its biggest model into a mid-size SUV, allowing them to sell it in Japan where the current model is considered too big to be desirable.
Via Autonews
The only problem with Nikkei's report is that it ignores Mazda's past model launches. Before the new CX-5, there was the Minagi concept of 2011, while the new Mazda6 was previewed by the Takeri concept the same year. It's likely a preview of the CX-5 is what we'll be seeing this summer.
Even if the Mazda crossover is to be revealed this summer, we wouldn't be able to actually buy it. That's because, just like the Honda Vezel it would only be available in Japan at first, priced from around 1.5 million yen. Europe will get the crossover next, but there's no mention of US availability.
Nikkei also writes that a new CX-9 is to be launched in 2015. After canceling the CX-7 because it overlapped with the CX-5, Mazda will make its biggest model into a mid-size SUV, allowing them to sell it in Japan where the current model is considered too big to be desirable.
Via Autonews