Photo: original photo created by autoevolution
Mazda wanted to be the first Japanese automaker to sell a diesel mid-size by launching a 2.2-liter turbodiesel Skyactiv-D on the Mazda6 by the end of 2013. Unfortunately, the launch will not take place until April next year.
Robert Davis, senior vice president of U.S. operations for Mazda North American Operations issued an internal statement which explained the reason of the delay. This employee letter was obtained by Automotive News.
"I know we had discussed it being in showrooms before the end of the year, and everyone involved in the program is disappointed it will not be, but final certification testing -- the results of which are looking encouraging -- is taking longer than we had initially expected," Davis wrote.
To compensate for the diesel model's delay, Mazda's US dealers will receive an additional 4,000 units of the car through the first quarter of next year.
The new Mazda6 sedan is doing well in America. In August, they delivered 4,249 cars, 167% more than in the same month last year. For the year to date, deliveries are up 4% to 20,364 vehicles, making it the second best selling model after the Mazda3.
"I know we had discussed it being in showrooms before the end of the year, and everyone involved in the program is disappointed it will not be, but final certification testing -- the results of which are looking encouraging -- is taking longer than we had initially expected," Davis wrote.
To compensate for the diesel model's delay, Mazda's US dealers will receive an additional 4,000 units of the car through the first quarter of next year.
The new Mazda6 sedan is doing well in America. In August, they delivered 4,249 cars, 167% more than in the same month last year. For the year to date, deliveries are up 4% to 20,364 vehicles, making it the second best selling model after the Mazda3.
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