Mazda CX-5 Impacted By Tire Shortage

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: August 21st, 2012

Mazda’s new CX-5 SUV is enjoying brisk sales in Japan, and Mazda can’t keep up with the demand. Waiting times of five months or longer were common, says The Nikkei [sub], especially for the top trim lines with fuel-saving diesel engines and leather seats. Mazda would love to deliver them a little faster – but it does not have enough tires.

Waiting times have been trimmed to three months, says the Tokyo wire, but Mazda is battling with problems procuring enough 19 inch tires. Mazda pretty much gave up on the idea and plans to offer the CX-5 with 17 inch rubber.

“New, 17-inch versions are expected to reach customers at least one month sooner,” the Nikkei says.

With 3,835 units sold In July, Mazda’s CX-5 ranked 29th on Japan’s best seller list, ten places ahead of Toyota’s hotly debated hachi-roku.

#BertelSchmitt #CX-5 #Japan #Mazda #Tires

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.

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Solracer on Aug 22, 2012

What's funny to me is how hard it's getting to get smaller tires for old cars. I have one car with 13x5" rims and you're almost limited to limited-production "classic" tires these days. Even my '90 Miata's 185/60-14 tire options are getting fewer and fewer each year. Bridgestone recently discontinued the tires I have their RE-960 AS Pole Position tires only for the 14" size, the other sizes are still available. I can easily see the day when I'll be forced to buy new wheels just to find tires that fit like some old Mustang that came with TRX wheels.

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BrentNelson on Aug 24, 2012

This really a big problem for Mazda . Mazda CX-5 is most selling car of Mazda . And most people use this car as a family car of for daily use. So Tire requirement is high always. The demand is high then also they are not producing enough tires and other accessories . It could damage company's reputation and Sell of a cars.

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