The launch of the all-new 2013 CX-5 into the U.S. market signals the death of another Mazda crossover, the CX-7.
The Japanese automaker officially confirmed the news at a recent press event adding that CX-7 sales in the States were averaging about 2,600 units per month through February and that 6,100 units were available at the end of last month, with no more deliveries scheduled. This means that Mazda has less than three months of stock left.
One of the main reasons why Mazda is pulling the plug on the CX-7 is because it didn’t want to confuse buyers with similarly-sized crossovers in its showrooms.
The CX-7 is positioned in-between categories as it is larger than your average compact crossover like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 but smaller than the mid-size models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. And while the CX-5 is smaller on the outside, it has more room inside than the CX-7 while also offering Mazda’s new generation of more fuel efficient and greener SkyActive powertrains.
“CX-7 was positioned between where the CX-5 is now and where the CX-9 is, and the only other person in that range was really the Nissan Murano,” Robert Davis, executive vice president of Mazda’s U.S. operations told Autonews.
“Between the size, along with the pricing and launching with a turbo engine, that put us at too many disadvantages to be successful,” he added.
Davis noted that Mazda’s dealers were originally against the company’s plans to axe the CX-7 but once they saw the CX-5 in person, they changed their mind. “After they saw the CX-5, they said don’t muddy the waters with two of ’em,” he said.
The CX-7 will continue to be offered in markets outside the U.S.A.
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