is there a future for Mazda in Trinidad?

[acesinghit]

This thread is not to bash a dealership against the rules of trinituner but to highlight in a very objective way for those of us who once or still own Mazda's what are your expectations from them.

Is Southern Sales focusing more on Kia and Audi and leaving Mazda to die?

I know Mazda's are not the most powerful, fuel efficient or good looking vehicles out there but based on the international rating and reviews of the line-up over the years they remained competitive and racked up many awards.

Do you think Mazda has a future in T&T besides BT-50's?

[Habit7]

I dont think they are diminishing Mazda, there might other factors but I see them doing it to all the brands

[shake d livin wake d dead]

so far the new mazda 6 and the mazda 3 looking good,real bad on gas though,I have seen quite a few around,as well as the rx8, but I'd say they should be around for a while though.

[SUPAstarr]

i think its on the decline with the new models, the old Mazda 3 did exceptionally well, but looks like crap now, when there is so much more attractive models out there its goin to be hard for them, the mazda 6 is beautiful, but the optima trumped it HARD, the other p[leb model are of no consquence, the bt50 will have to sell to keep them afloat, but the next model in that is even uglier than the mazda 3 so, tough time ahead for them.

[cinco]

mazda has already a foothold in the market
they have to sell kia and audi to raise the brand awareness

[Razkal]

i honestly like their current line-up...hadda squint to appreciate some, but nice cars imo..

they have so much potential to produce some gear-head specific vehicles...the mazdaspeed lineup is very promising, the 8 needs a dedicated purist edition imo...more power, less weight!, and where the flying flap jack is the next gen 7? the next gen 7 could be uber, but you KNOW they gonna fudge it up like a tobago vendor.

i do't really care about the local dealership's future, their service is horrid and vehicles way overpriced imo..
i do like the company's apparent corporate stance and marketing strategies though, plus the Furai kinda rekindled my mazda flame a bit

[bushwakka]

i disagree.....mazda has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to aesthetics for their cars......but thas probly the only thing they hav goin for them tho

[turbosingh]

After they made the RX8 they were left for dead

[SUPAstarr]

i thought southern sales should have pushed the rx8, they missed out big time with that in my opinion

[wagon r]

say what you want, but they are one of the few that still give a full independent suspension....not like nissan and toyota that went with solid beam rear suspension.....in their mass consumer cars.

i would take a mazda 3 over much anything in its segment right now.

...and there are 2 new RX8s here....yummy..!

[SUPAstarr]

ive seen a red in woodbrook, didnt kno there was another

[Sky]

say what you want, but they are one of the few that still give a full independent suspension....not like nissan and toyota that went with solid beam rear suspension.....in their mass consumer cars.

i would take a mazda 3 over much anything in its segment right now.

...and there are 2 new RX8s here....yummy..!

I haven't read much on the torsion beam. But is it supposed to be better than individual/MacPherson? I was wondering hy they were making this move.

[cinco]

no its cheaper that is the sole reason for its use

[Habit7]

My major gripe with all the dealerships it the limited amount of kit and engine choices they give you. The market standards now are bluetooth, 6 airbags, climate control, diesel engines, etc. They just bring down some cars and are like, "this is what we have take it or leave it." The closest exception are euros, because they hardly ever make bare basic cars.

P.S. the new Mazda 3 gearbox is crap, it needs 1 or 2 more gears

[Morpheus]

The new 6 looks really nice. Can't say the same for the new 3. The old 3 was nicer and easier on the eyes.

BTW don't these businesses hear about complaints directed towards their services and care to change these views?

[cinco]

they hear it and choose to ignore it monopoly ftl

[Nasrallah]

so far the new mazda 6 and the mazda 3 looking good,real bad on gas though,I have seen quite a few around,as well as the rx8, but I'd say they should be around for a while though.

I've got a 2008 1.6L Mazda 3 .....with a mix of north/south highway runs and city driving
I get roughly 550km per tank with $150-160 fill up.

I think its a really nice car, handles well,nice comfy cabin..plenty beer holders.

Service from SS has been okay so far usually get charged about $900 for a oil/filter change and a "check-up"..never had any issues with the car.

[Team Loco]

say what you want, but they are one of the few that still give a full independent suspension....not like nissan and toyota that went with solid beam rear suspension.....in their mass consumer cars.

i would take a mazda 3 over much anything in its segment right now.

...and there are 2 new RX8s here....yummy..!

agreed, but the mazda 3 just lacks some power.....

[bushwakka]

say what you want, but they are one of the few that still give a full independent suspension....not like nissan and toyota that went with solid beam rear suspension.....in their mass consumer cars.

i would take a mazda 3 over much anything in its segment right now.

...and there are 2 new RX8s here....yummy..!

how is few? iz not only nissan an toyota gone wit de beam? subaru, honda, ford still hav....

[acesinghit]

Mazda is doing good in North America, Europe and Asia but right here in sweet T&T they are doing poor!!!

Southern Sales was the first to bring down a gas automatic single/twin cab pickup (B2600) available with dual airbags and ABS brakes. Where is that market today in terms of automatic pickups? It's with Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford.

SS gave us the Mazda 6 in late 2002 with up to 8 airbags, available 2.3 engine and sunroof, traction control etc...Where is the 6 today? Sitting in the showroom with only 2 airbags.

The Mazda 3 has increased in price to $205k but now it doesn't have mud guards or a rear lip spoiler and they no longer bring the 2.0L.

SS once brought in the 1st generation RX-7 and left gen 2, 3 and the RX8 to the foreign used market. Why?

The brought down the CX7 and CX9 only to price them like an Audi and BMW SUV.......why?

The Mazda 2 they trying a new thing on but for $172k? A $145k Suzuki Swift has more features and the Yaris has 8 airbags. I saw only 1 thus far.

When last you guys saw SS advertising Mazda on the local channels, radio, Movietowne, billboard etc? Their Marketing dept. does not exist it seems.

The elements are all there to make the brand fail in Trinidad. I think Mazda is done already.

Despite Mazda having the independent multi-link suspension in the back it does not justify such a high price tag because its 1.6 engine is the least powerful in its class and the trunk has less room than that of a Tiida sedan. Mazda engines already suck gas and all they offer in the 3 and 6 is a 4 and 5 speed automatic respectively. I mean even Kia has a 6-speed auto as well as the Chevy Cruze.

[Wizard]

mazda looks good but wont do well with advertising as it is

the ford focus will trounce the mazda3 in a comparo as will the civic and tiida in different areas

the mazda6 is all shirt and no trousers as top gear guys would say even the ugly ford mondeo is surpassing it in terms of value for money

this thread has a good point i would not have thought of

hmmmm

[Habit7]

Mazda is doing good in North America, Europe and Asia but right here in sweet T&T they are doing poor!!!

Southern Sales was the first to bring down a gas automatic single/twin cab pickup (B2600) available with dual airbags and ABS brakes. Where is that market today in terms of automatic pickups? It's with Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford.

SS gave us the Mazda 6 in late 2002 with up to 8 airbags, available 2.3 engine and sunroof, traction control etc...Where is the 6 today? Sitting in the showroom with only 2 airbags.

The Mazda 3 has increased in price to $205k but now it doesn't have mud guards or a rear lip spoiler and they no longer bring the 2.0L.

SS once brought in the 1st generation RX-7 and left gen 2, 3 and the RX8 to the foreign used market. Why?

The brought down the CX7 and CX9 only to price them like an Audi and BMW SUV.......why?

The Mazda 2 they trying a new thing on but for $172k? A $145k Suzuki Swift has more features and the Yaris has 8 airbags. I saw only 1 thus far.

When last you guys saw SS advertising Mazda on the local channels, radio, Movietowne, billboard etc? Their Marketing dept. does not exist it seems.

The elements are all there to make the brand fail in Trinidad. I think Mazda is done already.

Despite Mazda having the independent multi-link suspension in the back it does not justify such a high price tag because its 1.6 engine is the least powerful in its class and the trunk has less room than that of a Tiida sedan. Mazda engines already suck gas and all they offer in the 3 and 6 is a 4 and 5 speed automatic respectively. I mean even Kia has a 6-speed auto as well as the Chevy Cruze.

^^^ x2, but SSL is not only guilty of this with Mazda, N&M, Toyota and ANSA all do it

[Morpheus]

^^I agree. All of them do not do their brands justice IMHO. Highlight the highs, pack in the features while keeping the prices moderate, push, push, push. But oh well eh.....

[acesinghit]

I think Best Auto is doing a fine job with their current line-up and prices. Neal & Massy is doing well with Nissan and Hyundai and hats off to ANSA Automotive for another good job for Mitsubishi and Honda especially. Sterling up there too with Mercedes Benz and Skoda coming along fine. Lifestyle has Suzuki down and now they got Chevrolet's brand image turning around in T&T. What is Southern Sales doing besides putting effort into Kia and Audi? It leaves Mazda totally unrepresented.

[equipped2ripp]

You would be surprised as to how many Mazdas are selling. The only model 3 that does not sell is the highend fully loaded one, they have like 6 more which are taking long to sell. The cheaper model 3s sell all the time. As for the 6, it sells.
The BT-50 has no problem in selling because it's the preferred choice for commercial/fleet use.

So all in all, a question as "is there a future for Mazda in Trinidad?" doesn't make sense. Mazda is one of the oldest selling brand of Japanese vehicles in Trinidad, just because the 3 not selling as it used to, doesn't mean the brand is going downhill.

[allon4]

i thought southern sales should have pushed the rx8, they missed out big time with that in my opinion

My understanding on this is that SS doesn't/didn't have the resources to properly service this (rotary engine) car.

I think they introduced the demio (mazda 2) late though and that it's over priced.

[Computerman]

i thought southern sales should have pushed the rx8, they missed out big time with that in my opinion

My understanding on this is that SS doesn't/didn't have the resources to properly service this (rotary engine) car.

Not the case. Mazda declined their request for the RX8, saying "That is not for our market"!

I think they introduced the demio (mazda 2) late though and that it's over priced.

Yes and YES!!

[acesinghit]

well said allon.

Did anyone realize Mazda actually has the smallest and worst dealership showroom in T&T? Coincidence?

[FullStop]

mazda dealership in trinidad is really sad in terms of service, its not just a matter of marketing and features, the vehicles are overpriced and the service is lacking really badly, foreign used options are much better...

[White CZ4A]

mazda vans mostly sell because they are cheaper than their competitors by quite a bit.
Good resale value though.