Mazda Motor Corp., aiming to increase volume in the critical US market, plans to offer more midsize vehicles and is considering developing a midsize car-SUV crossover derived from the 6 family sedan and ‘super-sizing’ the 6 car to create a US-only version, Dow Jones reported, citing Thursday’s Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
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If the WSJ report of a ‘supersized’ 6 proves correct, history would be repeating itself. The 626 predecessor of the new 6 (which has been critically acclaimed by US motoring writers and is selling well) was enlarged and restyled especially for the US (where it was also built) for the 1993 to 1997 model years. It was redesigned for 1998 to 2002.
According to the Dow Jones report, Masaharu Yamaki, a Mazda managing executive officer, said one of the biggest holes in Mazda’s vehicle line-up in the US is a midsize crossover vehicle. He also reportedly said in an interview that the 6 will have to become bigger and more powerful when Mazda redesigns the vehicle for 2007.
Dow Jones said Yamaki was in Flat Rock, south of Detroit, to attend a ceremony at the plant Mazda runs jointly with Ford, celebrating the start of US production of hatchback and station-wagon versions of the 6 sedan.
