General News
1 February, 2025
Sayonara to iconic Mazda6
THE iconic Mazda6 is bowing out of the Mazda Australia model range, after more than two decades on sale.
Japanese production of the Mazda6 for Australia has now ceased, as the brand shifts its focus to further improving its multi-solution strategy, offering electrification options in the form of plug-in hybrids such as the CX-60 and CX-80, highly efficient mild hybrids and an abundant choice of further honed ICE powertrains in line with customer preferences.
In 22 years of being on sale, almost 150,000 examples of the Mazda6 sedan and wagon have been sold, with the model’s most successful run in 2005, tallying a record figure of close to 15,000 total sales.
Last year the Mazda6 recorded 1354 sales, well behind Toyota’s Camry (15,401) and the electric BYD Seal (6393). Sales were down 11.4 per cent or a fall of 174 units. It held 4.2 per cent share of its segment, down from 10.1 per cent in 2023.
Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi “we owe a lot to Mazda6 in helping to make the Mazda brand what it is today”.
“Coinciding with the origins of our Zoom Zoom philosophy, its local introduction in 2002 contributed to a paradigm shift for the brand and it immediately became widely praised as the benchmark for front-wheel drive dynamics and involvement,” he said.
“While we have seen the market shift its preference towards SUVs in recent years, the Mazda6 has always been – and continues to be – held in particularly high regard by loyal enthusiasts and keen drivers alike, thanks to its embodiment of Jinba Ittai, timeless looks and easy to live with nature.
“As we bid a fond farewell to the Mazda6, its legacy will continue to live on as we move into the next phase of our future strategy.”
The Mazda6 has a storied history in Australia, making its all-new second-generation debut at the 2013 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, earning multiple motoring awards – including Drive’s Car of the Year in 2013 – and more recently joining the Mazda Australia fleet program, where multiple units are in active service as patrol cars in various police forces across Australia.
Mazda says there is “a healthy supply” of new Mazda6 models available across all grades at Mazda dealerships nationwide.
It is not known whether the indirect successor, the Chinese-designed and built electric Mazda6e and confirmed for right-hand drive markets in the UK and South Africa, will replace the Mazda6 in Australia.
