A Look Back at Mazda’s Successful Push Upmarket

Mazda’s profits experienced a significant increase in the last quarter due to the popularity of its CX-50 and CX-90 models, according to a report by Automotive News. The Japanese automaker is optimistic that this fiscal year will be its best yet in terms of both profit and U.S. sales. With this growth, Mazda predicts that it will sell about 389,000 vehicles in the U.S. this year, which would be a 22-percent increase from the previous year. This growth will also allow Mazda to set a new U.S. sales record, which it has not achieved since 1986 when it sold just under 380,000 vehicles.

Although Mazda’s profits are on the rise, the company did experience a setback in October when sales fell by a little over seven percent. According to sources, the decline was due to dealers having a limited inventory of CX-5 and CX-30 crossovers on hand, as there were low water levels in the Panama Canal that temporarily limited shipping. Additionally, customers seemed more interested in lower-trim versions of the vehicles because of higher interest rates.

However, Mazda has since reported that dealer inventory levels have recovered, and they believe that interest rates are unlikely to increase significantly in the future. Furthermore, the automaker has seen a surge in demand for more profitable vehicles, such as the high-end CX-90, which has helped boost profits.

It’s important to note that while Mazda’s sales are currently on the rise, the future is always uncertain, and the company may experience a decline in sales down the line. However, for the time being, Mazda’s efforts to move upmarket and become more of a luxury brand seem to be paying off. In the past, the automaker has struggled to break into the luxury market, but its latest push appears to be more successful.

It’s heartening to see Mazda finally receiving the recognition it deserves. For years, Mazdas have been known to be better than their sales figures might suggest, and it’s about time that they started to gain more traction in the market. Overall, it’s great news for Mazda, and we hope to see continued success for the automaker in the future.

As Mazda continues to push upmarket and compete with brands like Acura, it’s possible that the prices of its cars may become less affordable. This is a downside to the company’s success, as Mazda has long been known for offering high-quality vehicles at a reasonable price.

One concern is whether this push towards luxury will affect the affordability of the beloved Miata, which has always been a relatively affordable sports car option. While it’s uncertain what the future holds, it’s safe to say that the Miata has a devoted fan base, and it’s unlikely that Mazda would want to alienate them by pricing the car out of reach for the average consumer. Regardless, it’s important for Mazda to strike a balance between offering luxury and maintaining its reputation for affordability.

Photo Source: Mazda Newsroom