[Peloton25]

This is the first picture I have seen of what I assume to be the production sedan. I expect that this car will do very well in this segment, stealing sales not only from the aging Focus, but also the new Corolla and other entry level cars.

You can see this photo at a larger size at this link.

>8^)
ER

 

[soybean311]

Pfffft! Looks like that Saturn Ion or whatever it's called.

 

[panchocito]

Not bad.. somewhere I have an odd feeling that Ford NA might just drop the Focus, and concentrate on the Mazda, since they are not appearing willing to bring the new platform for the Focus.

 

[focaljet-1]

A. It will steal a lot of Focus sales
B. It looks nothing like the ION
C. Ford NA is not going to stop producing the Focus

btw, nice find P25, that is the first undisguised pic of the sedan I've seen.

 

[spike]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

A. It will steal a lot of Focus sales

i agree. many will probably choose the 3 over the focus when given the choice.

B. It looks nothing like the ION

you're right, it looks good!

C. Ford NA is not going to stop producing the Focus

this is true but i don't think they'll have a problem with letting it turn to complete crap like the escort.

 

[Peloton25]

I think he's getting the Ion thing from the sharp angle on the rear 3/4 window/c-pillar design. Other than that - I see no similarities besides the 4 wheels and 4 doors.

People who know what this car is will agree with you and I - those who don't should educate themselves prior to making any statements. I think it all comes down to price really. If Ford keeps discounting the Focus, and Mazda sets their sites a little to high on the price of the 3 then the 3 might not do so well. The other thing that could hurt the 3 - much like what has happened to the Mazda 6 - is that a lack of good advertising from Mazda could limit people's exposure. Mazda has a brand to rebuild in the eyes of the public and this car could very well do it for them I believe.

>8^)
ER

 

[spike]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

The other thing that could hurt the 3 - much like what has happened to the Mazda 6 - is that a lack of good advertising from Mazda could limit people's exposure. Mazda has a brand to rebuild in the eyes of the public and this car could very well do it for them I believe.

>8^)
ER

i don't think the mazda 6 problem was due to advertising. many people have complained on various automotive boards that they were unable to get what they wanted. alot of would-be owners were looking for either the I4 or V6 with a stick and could not find anything. hell, 5-speed V6s only accounted for 5% of what mazda produced. i drove to a pretty large mazda dealership in the area and out of 25 mazda 6's they only had 2 that were equiped with a 5-speed and both of those were 4 cylinders.

 

[focaljet-1]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

I agree that Mazda's advertising of the six has been slim in some areas (television). In contrast to the yellow P5 "zoom zoom" commercials which they ran at an unbelieveably high rate.

Also, spike is correct that they got the production mix of auto-to-manuals wrong. That hurt them, they have been trying to ramp up production of the manual as of late.

The 5-door and wagons are set to bow Spring of '04. If they can get the product planning right, that should increase 6 sales dramtically.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

Does that thing come in a hatchback?

If not, I couldn't care less about it. Cheap sedans are a dime a dozen, and none of them intrigue me in the slightest.

 

[Peloton25]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

There will be a wagon version that will replace the Protege 5. It looks pretty darn cool. I haven't heard any plans of a 3-door hatch like the ZX3 though, if that is what you are looking for.

I'll try to dig up some photos of the 3 wagon - gimme a sec.

>8^)
ER

 

[spike]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

does anyone know how much both versions of the 3 will weigh?

 

[focaljet-1]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

does anyone know how much both versions of the 3 will weigh?

None of that has been made public yet. We should know a bit more after the euro debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in mid-September.

 

[Peloton25]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

Here's some photos of the Mazda 3 wagon - I think this looks awesome! This will be a more successful product for Mazda than the original P5 I believe.

Spike, I don't believe Mazda has released the weight figures yet.

>8^)
ER

 

[focaljet-1]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

Also, FYI the car will be known as the 3 worldwide except for Japan in which it will be called the Axela.

Here is the Japanese site

 

[Decepticon_Zetec]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

i like it

 

[focaljet-1]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

 

[airforcefocus]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

Due here in December. I can't wait>>>

It's on the next gen Focus platform...........close enough for me, plus Mazda has established it's interest in racing. It's a fresh alternative to Ford's "Nascar only" approach. (please don't add all that Ford owns Mazda stuff. It's painfully apparent that the management styles are TOTALLY different)

 

[focaljet-1]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

The 4 pics above are from the Sportiv concept, but are very close to production status.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

I REALLY like the rear of that wagon, it's just so very sad it won't be offered in a 3 door hatch. I will never, ever buy a four door car. An SUV, that's a different story, no more than 3 doors on my cars though.

 

[Peloton25]

Re: Mazda 3 - How many Focus sales will be stolen?

whiskey - You could always bolt/weld the rear doors closed and have your friends climb in the windows.

wrc - I sure hope the interior remians as sharp as those photos you posted.

>8^)
ER