Luxury Mazda

Podcast Episode: 0152
What happened to Mazdas Luxury Division?

    Luxury Mazda may seem odd, but it did happen for a short time and almost made its way to America.  But why did it disappear before it almost was?  AutoLooks takes a look at how Mazda almost had a luxury division and the premium products its home market had.  

    Mazda is not a company who you really think of luxury when you hear their name.  Even with their foray into the premium marketplace with the new CX-90, they still feel like just another average brand.  But there was a time when they were in the luxury field and it almost made it to America. So, what happened?

    Back in Japan Mazda was breathing new life into their product line with the addition of the Eunos, Efini and Autozam brands.  Three new brands which would help it hit more of its home market.  Premium, Luxury and Sports were the entries and Mazda was going after every major market in its home market, but there is more money in America, so why not go there.

 
​    At this time the American marketplace had hit Japan with a maximum limit on imported vehicles.  This was a blow to everyone and soon enough they were looking at was around this import limit.  Importing luxury products, while building their entry and standard products domestically would help with this issue, but Mazda didn't have a luxury arm in America.  Well neither did the competition, but they were working on them.

     This thought soon became a project for Mazda of America, as they were going to utilize some of their home markets premium products.  Along with this, they would add on a dedicated halo model which would set them out from the competition.  But, like most great things a financial collapse and too much time were the enemy and Mazda would never see the light for its new luxury division.

     Today most of us don't even know that Mazda was working on a luxury division and how close it came to being a reality.  So, follow us as we take you on a journey of how this division almost was and how Mazda is moving that way, yet again.

Everett J.
#autolooks