Starting in early 2024, rumors have been circulating in the Japanese car industry about Mazda discontinuing the Mazda6 sedan in the domestic market. On January 17th, the online edition of the Chugoku newspaper reported that this midsize sedan will cease production in the country in the spring of this year.
The Mazda6 for the Japanese market is currently being produced at the Hofu plant in Yamaguchi Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Mazda6 will be the second Mazda model to be discontinued in Japan recently, following the CX-8. In December 2023, the production line for the Mazda CX-8 for the Japanese market was also closed. Mazda is currently selling the remaining inventory of CX-8 at its dealerships.
Japan is not the first market where the Mazda6 bid farewell. Before Japan, this midsize sedan had been discontinued in major markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom due to low sales.
The disappearance of the Mazda6 will further shrink the D-segment sedan market in Japan. In 2023, Toyota discontinued the Camry in the domestic market due to underperforming sales. The Honda Accord was previously discontinued in Japan but made a comeback in 2023. In the future, Honda will be one of the rare choices for Japanese consumers looking to purchase a D-segment sedan.
In the Japanese market, the Mazda6 currently comes in both sedan and station wagon variants. The main reason for its discontinuation in Japan is said to be the declining sales of sedans and station wagons compared to the increasing popularity of SUVs.
In the fiscal year ending in March 2023, the Mazda6 had modest sales globally, with approximately 34,000 units. In the same period, the Mazda CX-5 sold nearly 345,000 units. Compared to its sibling, the Mazda CX-30, the Mazda6 also had significantly lower sales figures.
In the Japanese market, the Mazda6 is available with three engine options. The first is a 2.2L inline-4 diesel engine. The second is a 2.0L inline-4 gasoline engine. The last is a 2.5L inline-4 gasoline engine. Despite the variety of engines, this sedan model continues to lose its appeal as Japanese customers shift towards SUVs.
In addition to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, the Mazda6 will continue to be sold in other markets. According to rumors since September 2023, the Mazda6 will receive a new generation thanks to the success of Mazda’s SUV models like the CX-60.
These rumors suggest that the new generation Mazda6 will have a 4-door coupe design, similar to luxury models like the Porsche Panamera. However, Mazda will still apply its “Kodo flowing sculpture” design language to this midsize sedan.
Computer-rendered image of the future Mazda6
In addition to the design, the new Mazda6 will also have notable improvements in its engines. It is expected to offer various engine options, such as a 2.5L inline-4 gasoline engine. Furthermore, there might be a mild hybrid version featuring a 3.3L inline-6 gasoline engine. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 3.3L inline-6 turbocharged diesel engine may also be available for the new Mazda6. Regardless of the chosen engine, the car will be equipped with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
According to Bestcarweb, the official debut of this model is expected to take place after 2025.
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