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Thread: Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp?

  1. #1

    Default Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp?

    Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mazda, Subaru


    Mazda6 and Subaru Tribeca - Click either image for high-res gallery

    The Subaru Tribeca and Mazda6 haven't exactly set the U.S. auto market ablaze, and a report in AutoWeek (citing Japan's Nikkan Kogyo) claims that both models could meet an untimely demise.

    The Tribeca has been unpopular seemingly since the day it was introduced as the B9 Tribeca, and recent sales figures show that the Subaru crossover has only found 910 new homes so far in 2011. Subaru attempted to increase interest in the CUV by giving it a new face, but buyers have been mostly unimpressed. And since other Subaru models are selling like hotcakes, the Tribeca is doing little more than taking up space at the automaker's Indiana assembly plant. The automaker has reportedly already stopped research and development on the next generation Tribeca, which definitely isn't a good sign.

    While the Tribeca has been something of a sales catastrophe, the Mazda6 hasn't been quite as big of a dud, but it has serially underperformed. Mazda was looking to move about 100,000 units per year out of its Flat Rock, MI plant, but sales haven't been quite so robust. The Japanese automaker sold only 45,168 units in 2010, which has led to speculation that Mazda may quit producing the model at the facility.

    Mazda hasn't divulged any plans regarding the 6, but speculation is that the automaker could move out of Flat Rock altogether, leaving the facility to Ford, which produces the Mustang at the plant. One rumor has Mazda moving to a new facility in Mexico, where labor costs are much lower than in the States.

    If Subaru opts to stop making the Tribeca in the U.S., the CUV is likely dead forever. That's not necessarily the case with the Mazda6, though, as Mazda could potentially import the mid-size sedan from other markets. Neither Subaru or Mazda have announced any plans about either vehicle or their production plans in North America.Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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  2. #2
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    Not surprised about the Tribeca, the only thing on the road that is more hideous than that is the BMW X6.

  3. #3

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    Bet Mazda 6 sales would be doing much better if there was a range topping MPS version to give it more charisma.

  4. #4
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    Insipid car......

  5. #5

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    They get a V6 version over there apparently which has just a much power. Dont believe it has all paws though

  6. #6
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    MazdaUSA :: 2011 MAZDA6 Sports Sedan Features & Specifications

    272 hp @ 6250 rpm (~205kw)
    269 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm (~355-360NM)
    FWD

  7. Default

    putting that much power through a FWD is just not the same as putting it down through AWD Sam ... your missing out on a shoe in to the luxury power AWD beasts mazda

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackbetty View Post
    putting that much power through a FWD is just not the same as putting it down through AWD Sam ... your missing out on a shoe in to the luxury power AWD beasts mazda
    I know mel never said it was
    had just grabbed the numbers off the US website to provide something a bit more specific than what rfzd said
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    This mazda 6 is a different chassis, different wheelbase, different track, I believe. Purpose built for the US and they don't like it. Now that an opportunity for halo R+D has been demonstrated to have been wasted on this overweight facsimile of a 6 instead, perhaps mazda'll put an end to market-specific pandering and just develop good cars (and halo's) without making that compromise.

  10. #10

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    The V6 Mazda had some good points.... the engine selection...which im sure australians would love.

    Motortrend recorded a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.1 seconds for the Mazda 6 V6.
    And due to those performance figures from a std Mazda6...is the reason the Mazda 6MPS died

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  11. #11
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    not worried about the subi...best part of it is the 3L 6cl (for twin turbo purposes like being dropped into impraza's) but thats it ...it is really and always has been the ugly duckling.

    Pitty bout the 6...but the question needs t be asked what will fill that class of car...they have no other vehicle that covers the larger sedan group. Maybe if they reduced the number of variants to say sedan and wagon or hatch it will save a fair bit of $$ rather than making 3 car styles.

  12. #12

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    So many 6MPS fans have been saying this class of car is about the driving dynamics. FWD cars dont makes it into this class, no matter how much grunt they may have. The Subaru Liberty GT is too ugly to be an alternative, so most 6MPS owners wanting to upgrade are compelled to go European because there are no alternatives.

    I think Mazda's decision to drop the 6MPS was an error of judgement which is having a detrimental effect on the 6 range overall. The gen1 6 was hugely successful in the mid-size segment with it's popular styling and features. The 6MPS was a natural evolution of the lineage, showing just how much capability was inherent in the original design. The MPS version was surprisingly successful for a car that was never marketed.

    The gen2 6 has failed to capture the spirit of the gen 1 and hasn't enjoyed the same level of sales success. It's a very good car, but it's good in the same (boring) way that Toyotas are good. I reckon Mazda needs a 6MPS now more than ever. I reckon there is a huge market for it, they just need to tell the world they have this awsome car rather than keeping it a secret like they did last time.

    The American Mazda 6 GT was a cynical and flawed design exercise that suffers from the same problem that any high hp FWD suffers from and that's an inability to apply the power in any useful way. FWD is self-limiting because the more power you have the more wheelspin results so the less acceleration can be achieved. You wont see a gen2 GT doing 0-100 in the low 4's like a tweaked gen1 6MPS no mater how much fire it's big V6 breaths. Dropping AWD was a BIG mistake.

    Gone to Volvo


  13. #13
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    Having spoken to one of the Mazda salesmen locally, he said the biggest problem they have with the mazda 6 at the moment is the Mazda 3.
    The SP25 goes better, uses less fuel, and has more features, all the 6 has is looks and size.
    He also said that rarely a week would go by without someone enquireing about the new MPS 6.

    I've said it before, i understand the reasons for the dropping of the 6 MPS. But that was then, times have changed.
    Now, if you want a performance mid size car thats good on fuel (which is now a mauch larger market with the increasing price of fuel) what choice to you have, that god ugly Subaru or...... nope, thats it. Or an expensive overpriced euro

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