Mazda To Release New Crossover in 2006; Porsche Mulls A Large Wagon

Washington DC May 27, 2005; AIADA reported in their newsletter that Mazda, on the move to boost sales 13 percent over the next two years, said it would release a new crossover vehicle next year in North America, reports The Detroit Free Press. “The Mazda CX-7 will be a so-called crossover vehicle that blends in the features of a sports car with an SUV, the carmaker, based in southwestern Japan’s Hiroshima prefecture, said in a faxed release Thursday. It will compete with Nissan Motor Co.’s Murano and Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus RX models.” CEO of Mazda North America Jim O’Sullivan said the new crossover "is a critical step forward for us in North America.” Mazda estimates that the U.S. market for crossovers has doubled from 2001, with sales reaching about 850,000 in 2003. Based on the MX-Crossport concept displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January, the Mazda CX-7 will go into production next year in Japan. The automaker, aims to raise global sales to dealers to 1.25 million units by the end of FY2006. In 2006, Mazda held 1.6 percent share of the U.S. market for automobiles. In addition to the CX-7, the automaker plans to release eight new models in North America over the next two years including, the Mazda5 minivan.

In another note, Porsche announced Thursday it too aims to introduce a large vehicle into its lineup, reports Reuters. According to Manager magazine, the large four-door “Tourer” wagon would be almost as large as the Cayenne SUV and could be marketed as early as 2008. The “Tourer” would be the automaker’s fourth model line. “Porsche Chief Executive Wendelin Wiedeking will decide on the car in July and then seek approval from the supervisory board, the magazine said in a preview of its May 27 edition.” But according to Reuters, “A Porsche spokesman said the report was pure speculation, reiterating that a decision on a fourth model line will be taken in the summer. A task force was mulling whether a new line should be built alone or in cooperation with a partner, he added. "The most economical solution will be implemented if there is a fourth model line," he said.”