TOKYO — Mazda Motor is developing an all-new seven-passenger crossover vehicle, known internally as CX-9, exclusively for the North American market, sources tell Inside Line. The CX-9, which could be imported from Japan, will make its world debut next spring at the New York international auto show.
The CX-9 is expected to go on sale next fall as a 2007 model, priced from around $38,000, according to industry sources. It is viewed internally as a larger sibling to the forthcoming CX-7 crossover vehicle — the production version of the MX-CrossSport that was unveiled as a concept at the 2005 Detroit show. The CX-7 has two rows of seats and will accommodate five occupants; the CX-9 will seat up to seven in three rows.
The 2006 CX-7 goes on sale next spring, priced from around $30,000. When both of the new crossovers are finally in dealerships, Mazda will phase out the Tribute, which shares its platform and much of its sheet metal with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.
Mazda executives at the Tokyo show last week said the company will not sell its redesigned MPV in the United States, hinting that the minivan will be replaced by another type of people mover.
The CX-7 and CX-9 are derived from the Mazda 6 platform and share their basic underbody architecture with the upcoming Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossovers. Base engine is a new DOHC 3.5-liter V6, with a larger 3.7-liter unit said to be in the pipeline for 2008.
What this means to you: Americans will soon see the last of the minivan from Mazda as it moves into crossovers in a big way in 2006.
The CX-9 is expected to go on sale next fall as a 2007 model, priced from around $38,000, according to industry sources. It is viewed internally as a larger sibling to the forthcoming CX-7 crossover vehicle — the production version of the MX-CrossSport that was unveiled as a concept at the 2005 Detroit show. The CX-7 has two rows of seats and will accommodate five occupants; the CX-9 will seat up to seven in three rows.
The 2006 CX-7 goes on sale next spring, priced from around $30,000. When both of the new crossovers are finally in dealerships, Mazda will phase out the Tribute, which shares its platform and much of its sheet metal with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.
Mazda executives at the Tokyo show last week said the company will not sell its redesigned MPV in the United States, hinting that the minivan will be replaced by another type of people mover.
The CX-7 and CX-9 are derived from the Mazda 6 platform and share their basic underbody architecture with the upcoming Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossovers. Base engine is a new DOHC 3.5-liter V6, with a larger 3.7-liter unit said to be in the pipeline for 2008.
What this means to you: Americans will soon see the last of the minivan from Mazda as it moves into crossovers in a big way in 2006.
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