Mazda set to continue regular model updates

Mazda says it will continue updating its Australian fleet with new models as frequently as modern technology and safety demands – and not what its rivals choose to do.

Car-makers globally typically turn over a passenger vehicle every six to eight years, usually extending a model’s longevity with a significant mid-life update.

However, Mazda has bucked that trend in recent years, most notably with its popular CX-9 SUV, which this week underwent its third major update in three years – against a broader backdrop of consistent sales and widely received acclaim.

This week, the car-maker vowed to continue updating its Australian fleet as it sees fit.

“There’s more of an internal [memo] driving our regular updates, honestly,” said Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak. “It’s something that Mazda Corporation has decided to do with these updates, and they’ve done it for basically all of our cars across the range.”

The CX-9, BT-50, Mazda6, CX-3 and MX-5 are among Mazda’s update recipients this year; most receiving safety and technology enhancement along with and driveline and/or suspension updates.

Doak revealed Mazda would continue to strive for regular upcoming, but wanted to do so in a balanced and sustainable manner.

“The safety technology, in particular, we’ve been keen to bring it to market as soon as possible and in as many models as possible,” Doak said. “That’s been one of the factors – and things like a changing philosophy around dynamics and suspension tune is something we’re keen to get to market as well. It’s a combination of things.

“We like these markets are coming to us more frequently. It gets our cars in front of the press and lets existing and new customers know that Mazda is doing things and that there is new models and updated models around.”

Doak said Mazda was constantly exploring what works with consumers, and as such, is currently monitoring vehicles including its CX-8 SUV, specifically the possibility of offering more variants in line with consumer tastes.

“There’s nothing in the short-term, but we’d be mad to not at least consider more variants with the CX-8. We’re always asking dealers what we’re missing and what customers are asking for,” he said.