Mazda CX-5S land in Australia
Supplies of Mazda’s eagerly-anticipated next-generation CX-5 have started to hit the docks in Queensland’s capital, ahead of an on-sale date in early April.
An initial fleet of 1200 CX-5S will touch down after a twoweek boat ride from the Hiroshima factory before the end of the month, to try to meet the significant demand the Japanese car-maker is reporting.
Numbers have already grown to 33,000 expressions of interest.
“Never has Mazda seen such a response from potential buyers wanting information on a new vehicle,” Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said.
“Of the almost 100,000 people who have, so far, entered our competition to win a nextgen Mazda CX-5, more than 33,000 registered their interest in the vehicle, and a staggering 45,000 want to be contacted directly from Mazda once it goes on sale.”
The thousands of keen potential customers are clearly putting faith in Mazda to price the new CX-5 competitively, with no announcement regarding showroom sticker prices yet.
The new version, however, is not expected to increase in price significantly over the current $27,890 before on-road costs entry price.
While the first Australianspec cars have been produced at the Hiroshima plant, from November, additional manufacturing will start at the Hofu plant, which is regarded as the company’s premium facility.
The extra capacity is expect- ed to help meet the significant Australian demand.
While Mazda is confident the added manufacturing capacity will ensure most Australian customers are not left waiting for their cars, Mazda Australia senior public relations manager Karla Leach said potentially supply could be challenged on some spec levels.
Compared with the first-generation model, the gen-two car will bring more choice for Australian customers with a new Touring variant added into the middle of the range between Maxx Sport and GT variants.
Ms Leach said the company expected a majority of the new Touring to be snapped up by returning CX-5 customers who want a slight step up in specification from their gen-one Maxx Sport.