Mazda Wants To Push Upmarket

Mazda RX Vision Concept (Credit: © Mazda)

Mazda doesn’t want to be viewed as a budget-friendly brand anymore, at least not entirely. In case you don’t know, the company’s sales have hit the skids lately, and the CEO is searching for answers. One is to aim for a position more like what Volkswagen occupies in the market, per a recent Automotive News report.

This isn’t the first time Mazda’s toyed with the idea of going a little upmarket. If you look at the MSRP for the new CX-9’s top trim, you could even argue it’s already getting there. There’s more than just crappy sales motivating Mazda. The company could be in a fight for survival.

Yes, that’s right, Mazda could be one of the next automakers to die. That’s really too bad, because driving a Mazda6 is far more entertaining than sitting behind the wheel of a Camry. Mazda’s cars look great, too. The big question is why people aren’t seeing why getting a Mazda is better than some lousy Nissan Altima.

All this financial pressure means we won’t be getting a new rotary-powered sports car. That just plain sucks.

The Japanese auto market is in turmoil. Nissan and Toyota are buying up everyone as they prepare to fight like Godzilla and Mothra. Toyota will probably scoop up Mazda. Nissan already snagged Mitsubishi. Honda could join forces with GM. Subaru might also get gobbled up by Toyota. Things are getting weird.

What would the world be like without Mazda? May we never find out.