Mazda aiming to retain top spot
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azda expects its secondgeneration CX-5 to retain its title as Australia’s favourite SUV despite its strong competition, thanks to a fresh new look, an increase in standard features and improved cabin comfort.
The new-gen CX-5 is on sale in Australia now, just four months after its reveal at last year’s Los Angeles motor show, with Mazda reporting significant interest in the new model on the back of pre-launch marketing campaigns and a competition to win one. Speaking at his final media event before retiring this week, outgoing Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders acknowledged the continued growth in the SUV segment and said the Japanese car-maker had three key goals in mind with the CX-5. He said the company was keen to offer a strong model mix, appeal to existing CX-5 owners and keep its spot at the top of the SUV pile. “We recognise this growth will not only be fuelled by CX-5 but also new and improved competitor offerings and even additional entrants in the SUV segment,” he said at the media launch in Queensland last week. “In that context, we believe CX-5 can continue to grow at a modest but solid pace and sustain its place at the
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BACK FOR MORE: Mazda says it believes current CX-5 owners will be key to the sales success of the new-gen model.
top of the segment.” The CX-5 has been the best selling SUV in Australia for the past four years, after toppling Toyota Prado in 2013, hitting a high of 25,136 units in 2015. Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak reiterated Mr Benders’ suggestion that returning buyers would be key to the success of the second-generation car. “Resale is important for this car,” he said. “You can’t be number one for four years and not talk to those
owners again and get a huge amount of interest. We have done our research and we are very confident we are on to a winner.” Mr Doak added the overall package and the addition of a new variant would ensure the new CX-5 would lure current owners back to their Mazda dealership. “All the signs are that it will be very successful for us,” he said. “We are very happy with the value equation we have delivered with
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equipment and pricing. Touring is a nice addition to the range and we have high hopes for that. The new CX-5 introduces massive improvements to noise, vibration and harshness, NVH, levels, updated styling, a completely redesigned interior, more cabin space and new active safety features, but few changes to the powertrains. Mazda has added a new mid-range variant, dubbed the Touring, which it believes will fill a gap between the
Maxx Sport and the GT and appeal to returning buyers, the majority of which own a Maxx Sport. Pricing has increased on all variants except the top-spec Akera, with each version of the base Maxx up by $800 each – meaning the two-wheel-drive, FWD, manual 2.0-litre entry version kicks off the line-up from $28,690 plus on-road costs. The 2.0-litre FWD Maxx is still offered with an auto as well as an allwheel-drive, AWD, 2.5-litre version. Maxx Sport variants come in for a $900 price hike and it continues to be offered in FWD 2.0-litre guise, 2.5-litre AWD petrol and 2.2-litre AWD diesel guises, starting at $34,390. The new Touring grade is available from $38,990 for the 2.5-litre AWD and $41,990 for the 2.2-litre diesel AWD. GT models rise by $300 and mimic the engine line-up of the Touring and the top-spec Akera that gets a price reduction of $420, topping out at $49,990 for the Akera diesel AWD. As reported when the CX-5 was revealed, it features an evolutionary new design that is part of the next generation of Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy, with smoother panels and fewer lines. It also adopts slimline head and tail-lights that are similar to the larger CX-9. – Tim Nicholson
Wednesday, April 12, 2017