Mazda expects Europe to be top market for new MX-5; Solstice, Sky blamed for shift

[NFS4]

AMES B. TREECE | Automotive News
Posted Date: 8/30/05

TOKYO -- Mazda Motor Corp. is predicting that Europe will replace North America as the largest market for the redesigned 2006 MX-5 Miata. The automaker blames the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.

With fewer competitors, the Miata sold more strongly in North America, says Daniel Morris, Mazda's senior managing executive officer in charge of marketing, sales and customer service. Now the MX-5 must take on the 2006 Solstice, which went on sale this month, and the Sky next spring.

Mazda predicts that about 45 percent of MX-5 sales will be in Europe, or about 18,000 a year. North America will sell about 40 percent, or about 16,000.

 

[DivideBYZero]

The New MX5 is pretty cheap over here in the UK, with pre-orders for the fully loaded Sport model running at around 18k.

I hope the Solstice and the Sky are good cars and deserve the sales.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Not for me it won't.

The new Miata has one big advantage that neither of the GM products have: it's built in Japan where people know how to build cars. I want my Miata to last me 10 years!

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Not for me it won't.

The new Miata has one big advantage that neither of the GM products have: it's built in Japan where people know how to build cars. I want my Miata to last me 10 years!

you do know on JD power reports, that mazda continually ranks below most Domestic manufacturers right?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Not for me it won't.

The new Miata has one big advantage that neither of the GM products have: it's built in Japan where people know how to build cars. I want my Miata to last me 10 years!

you do know on JD power reports, that mazda continually ranks below most Domestic manufacturers right?

Yup. Also, Isuzu and Mitsubishis (well, some Mitsus) are built in Japan and they suck.

 

[Kremlar]

JD Power also ranked Earthlink tops in both dialup and high-speed internet.

Their surveys are usually far from accurate, for a variety of reasons.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Kremlar
JD Power also ranked Earthlink tops in both dialup and high-speed internet.

Their surveys are usually far from accurate, for a variety of reasons.

and what do you have that is wrong with Earthlink?

in the old dial-up days they were pretty good for service and customer service

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Not for me it won't.

The new Miata has one big advantage that neither of the GM products have: it's built in Japan where people know how to build cars. I want my Miata to last me 10 years!

I wouldn't buy something just cuz it was made in Japan. From my personal experience, not all Japanese products are durable and long lasting.

 

[vi edit]

I'm still half interested in leasing a Solstice. I've got about $3500 in GM points built up on my GM card. Allowance redemption on the Solstice will probably be $500-$1000. Just enough to cover the up front costs on the lease. Do it for 10,000 miles for 3 years and I can't help but think it would be dirt cheap. Under $200 a month easy depending on how they figure the residual.