The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

FiestaST said:
Holy smokes!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1764939348208750655

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People just bought an Isuzu, which is what this was. Merc saw their Ar$e and now so has Mazda. I'd be very interested to know how well the new Amarok is doing - because people soon realised that a Navara with Mascara was no better than a much cheaper Nissan Navara. Likewise, same story with the Mazda BT-50 - local dealer has not had one in their showroom for well over a year. How could they when a Next Gen Ranger was just a stroll across the forecourt away?!
 
NR7 said:
This is crazy. Wouldn't be suprised if Mazda pulls out of SA eventually, the CX-5 seems like the only model keeping them afloat.
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Nah crazy unlikely they would pull out yes the CX-5 is pretty much carrying the brand in SA but it still sells well. Additionally Mazda still remains a respected legacy Japanese brand vs something like Honda that has been struggling locally.
 
NR7 said:
This is crazy. Wouldn't be suprised if Mazda pulls out of SA eventually, the CX-5 seems like the only model keeping them afloat.
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Without piggybacking off the physical Ford dealer network, the brand would be dead.

Mazda was supposed to split away from Ford workshops a few years ago and run as a completely stand alone dealer, but I don't think this ever happened due to declining sales volumes.
 
FiestaST said:
Nah crazy unlikely they would pull out yes the CX-5 is pretty much carrying the brand in SA but it still sells well. Additionally Mazda still remains a respected legacy Japanese brand vs something like Honda that has been struggling locally.
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You'd think it should be the other way around.

Honda with their VTEC and amazing Civics over the years plus their involvement with F1 and MotoGP engines.
Versus Mazda that's not in any top form of motorsport for decades and hasn't even had a hot hatch in over a decade.


The rest of their lineup is under pressure. The 2023 facelift Mazda 2 has less tech than the Baleno/Starlet - heck their R307k base model doesn't even have an infotainment system- just a radio! Plus the CX-3 is facing huge pressure with the T-Cross/Urban Cruiser, CX-30 with the Corolla Cross, CX-60 in a segment dominated by German brand loyalty, the list goes on.
 
Mazda BT-50 bakkie bites the dust in South Africa

Mazda has confirmed that its BT-50 bakkie range will no longer be sold in South Africa.

The latest-generation BT-50, which is based on the Isuzu D-Max and imported from Thailand, has been a slow seller on the local market. In the past six months an average of just nine units per month were registered in the country.

Earlier versions of the BT-50, locally produced and based on previous generations of the Ford Ranger, were a more common sight local roads.

But the latest version simply could not compete as a fully imported model.

“The South African LCV, and in particular the double cab market, is extremely well developed and competitive with locally manufactured Brands and nameplates dominating sales,” said Craig Roberts, MD of Mazda Southern Africa.

“This factor, as well as an extremely challenging landscape for imported vehicles, competing directly with locally manufactured products has led Mazda SA to make this difficult decision.”

We do admire Mazda’s honesty here. Other carmakers tend to let go of their slow selling models with radio silence.

This is not an international discontinuation, and the Thai-built model will still be available in other global markets where it currently competes. Interestingly the BT-50 was also axed in New Zealand recently, although it remains for sale in Australia, which is a big market for the ute.

 
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