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Mazda boss unfazed by Solstice overtaking MX-5

 
3 1,000 views Feb 3, 2007

Mazda boss unfazed by Solstice overtaking MX-5

Mazda boss unfazed by Solstice overtaking MX-5

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The Pontiac Solstice has overtaken Mazda’s MX-5 Miata in the 2006 sales race to become America’s most popular roadster. The Solstice ended the year with 19,710 sales in the US, while the MX-5 notched up 16,897 sales, which was still up a massive 72.4% on last year’s result. Mazda’s North American Operations’ top executive Jim O’Sullivan was unfazed by the news citing the large upswing in sales and the differing customer base between the two brands as a positive indicator of future growth.

Additionally, O’Sullivan stated in an interview with WardsAuto “we could have sold a bunch more MX-5 Miatas if we wanted to, but capacity was an issue. And Mazda’s US division had no interest in offering incentives for volume sales of the new roadster.” Also, the more popular retractable hardtop version didn’t enter the market until October, with many areas not receiving the model until November.

O’Sullivan finished the interview with the statement “the MX-5 is still the number one selling roadster in the world and one year is definitely too brief a period to define success or failure.”



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Comments (3)

  1. By PJE Posted: 2/3/2007 3:24pm PST

    Having previously owned three MX-5 Miata in the UK and USA, I was interested in the Solstice and Sky - especially as I now live in the Detroit area where they are one of the 'it' cars.

    However, until Pontiac and Saturn address the attrocious luggage capacity I'll be in the market for a MX-5 next time round...
     
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  2. By biturbo Posted: 2/3/2007 7:10pm PST

    It is good that Miata/MX-5 has some competition now.
    Maybe they will step up some power now...
    Competition is good.
     
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  3. By Peter Posted: 2/5/2007 10:38am PST

    I really like that Pontiac... What a beauty! The Saturn Sky is also one of my favourites.
     
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