Mazda6 leaves the Australian market after 22 years on sale
The era of Mazda6 with internal combustion engines is gradually coming to an end. The sedan left the US market in 2021, the UK and China - in 2023, Japan - in 2024. Now the turn has come to Australia, where this model lasted 22 years.
Here's What We Know
Cumulative sales of the Mazda6 in Australia since its launch in 2002 totalled 147,271 units, but less than a fifth of that number - or 26,843 cars - have been sold in the last decade. The last time more than 10,000 Mazda6 cars were sold in a calendar year was in 2008.
A spokesperson for Mazda Australia said the decision was made due to declining demand for sedans and a market shift towards crossovers and SUVs. However, another reason, as noted by Drive, was the need for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) technology in the new cars. Australia's Mazda6 has AEB, but it no longer meets the new standards, and it is not economically feasible for the manufacturer to make technical changes to an unpopular model.
Some time ago there were rumours from Japan about possible appearance of a new generation Mazda6 with a six-cylinder engine, but this idea was never implemented.
But what about the new Mazda6e?
In some European countries, particularly Germany, the Mazda6 is still available on the manufacturer's website. However, a few weeks ago Mazda presented at the Brussels Motor Show a brand new electric car Mazda6e in European specification. Sales of the novelty are scheduled to start in the summer of 2025.
It is now a five-door electric hatchback with a 14.6-inch touchscreen in the interior. Two versions are promised: with a 68.8 kWh battery and an 80 kWh battery. Range in the WLTP cycle: 479 kilometres and 552 kilometres.
It is not yet known whether the Mazda6e will be offered in Australia. Although it is confirmed that the Chinese-made electric car will appear in the UK and South African right-hand drive markets.
According to Mazda Australia there is still a "healthy stock" of the Mazda6 "in all configurations" in Australian car dealerships.
Source: Drive
