Mazda Can't Make Its CX-5 Fast Enough

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

The new CX-5 SUV is selling so well that Mazda has to expand capacity by 50 percent.

Mazda has received more than 60,000 orders for the CX-5 in four months, says The Nikkei [sub], and Mazda’s lines can’t keep up with the demand. If one orders a Diesel CX-5 in Japan, the wait is longer than three months. Gasoline models have a one month wait. To keep up, Mazda plans to increase production capacity for the CX-5 to 240,000 units by 2013. Production remains at Mazda’s factory in Hiroshima.

In May, Mazda built 14,840 CX-5 in Japan, along with 28,129 Mazda 3 (Axela) and 10,105 Mazda2 (Demio). Overseas, the company built 12,141 Mazda6, 6,915 Mazda3, and 6,811 BT-50. With roughly 70 percent of its production in Japan, Mazda is seriously hurt by the strong yen.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 30 comments
  • Philosophil Philosophil on Jun 28, 2012

    Mazda took a big risk focusing on improving the ICE instead of turning to electric or hybrids, and I'm glad to see that it may be paying off.

  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Jun 28, 2012

    A MazdaSpeed version of this is in order. If dealers don't want to stock it, at least make it a special order option. That would be great!

  • Bd2 Bd2 on Jun 28, 2012

    Good for Mazda - they needed a hit other than the 3. The only real negative to the CX-5 (tho I don't quite like the grill) is that it is lacking a bit in power, Mazda having concentrated on fuel economy - so maybe Mazda will be offering a sportier version later on.

  • L1011 L1011 on Jun 29, 2012

    Good for Mazda! They knocked this one out of the park. It looks great, they finally got rid of the stupid smiley face, and it's priced very competitively. However, I want an AWD diesel version of the CX-5 sold in the US!! Bring me that, Mazda, and I'll buy one.

Next