Grizzly8

Mazda firstly releases a substandard 4 speed Automatic for the RX8 , and now that they have a revised slightly better 6 speed Auto they wont be bringing it into Australia .

Read the lame excuse given by Mazda

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2000039.aspx


According to Alistair Doak, the adoption of the new transmission would require re-certification for Australian emission regs and the like.



What do you guys think ,? to me it doesnt show a great deal of customer care



Michael

KJ238

Umm... In Brunei, Mazda does not bring in the auto as well.. apparently not suited for our climate. Only way to get it is to parallel import

auzoom

I think thats going to be a chicken and egg scenario. Would the cost of re-certifying the car out weight the potental...1-2000 car sales?

Revolver

Michael,

I suggest you re-title your post. The way I read that article, it seems the decision not to release the upgraded auto locally was made by Head Office, not Mazda Australia. I'm not protecting them but let's be clear about who made the decision.

Otherwise, I couldn't give a fig. I'm not and never will be in the market for an auto and I suspect I'm in the majority, which might explain why they couldn't get a commercial case up for importing the new auto (e.g. cost of compliance, etc vs likely sales).

Does this really affect you or are you just indulging in your favourite pastime?

Grizzly8

If the sales numbers were higher i am certain Mazda oz would have put pressure on Head office to bring the latest 6 speed to Australia , to me the fact is that car dealers dont put enough pressure on head office .

Are you going to take it if Mazda releases a FI MAZDASPEED but by-passes Australia ??

Yes it does effect me because a PRECEDENT is being set by Mazda Australia as well as other Australian car companiesrepresenting other brands that because of lower sales here in OZ we miss out on the goods .

WHAT TITLE DO YOU SUGGEST ?

Michael

Revolver

Michael, I thought you were more capitalist than communist!

Are you suggesting that any car company should lose money just to make its entire range available in every market? Sheesh, this kinda stuff has been going on since Adam was a lad!

How many cars aren't made in RHD at all because the respective manufacturers have decided prospective sales aren't worth the cost? ADR compliance has also killed off several cars from our little corner of the world. It's just business. They don't have some altruistic obligation to sell something to you.

As for your hypothetical about a factory FI RX8, sure I'd be pissed off but that's life living in a small market. Fact is that we don't enjoy the range of choice our US and European brothers do because there simply ain't enough sales available locally to justify the cost of importing some products.

As for the title, perhaps just lose the 'OZ'.

Grizzly8

Its time to change the way car manufactures look at the small markets such as Australia AS DMRH has stated we pay through the nose for cars and aftermarket parts .

The market may be small but the profilability for car companies is huge .

I bought my car from Mazda OZ so i expect them to bat for me and other owners

Michael

timbo

Michael, are you for one moment suggesting you would buy an auto?

No, I thought not...in fact you have spent the past 3 years dumping on anyone who even suggested they might contemplate an auto.

See, you've scared them all off, MA has seen the numbers...or lack thereof...and made a commercial decision

Cromax

Why would you want an auto RX8 anyway???

timbo

Actually, because it can handle the torque (but I'm not sure about the revs) that Aisan 6sp A/T might be good behind a FI Renesis

Grizzly8

I would consider a DSG gearbox

The RX8 WAS MADE TO APPEAL TO MUM AND DADS as a family car , not giving the 4 speed Auto owners a way to upgrade to a 6 speed AUTO does not make sense to me .

Is Mazda happy to lose the AUTO MARKET ? or are Australian customers not worthy of the new 6 speed Auto instead being forced to buy the inferior 4 speed of which i am sure mazda will continue selling if they can , to the unsuspecting uninformed bunny Auto buyer .

Michael

xatnep

Hi all, a friend of mine works for hsv and over the years he has chewed the fat over engine management maps and getting them past the government. It is a big pain in the bum all temp settings atmo settings etc at each different engine speed/loads etc, you might like to notice the distinct lack of options available now in the NEW Holden. The model differences are now more in the body rather than engine computer. Lights in footwells , headlight reminders NOT 295kw or 302kw etc etc just too hard. Mazda might actually be sensible as it has already jumped through the hoop once why bother again, and after all they will still have an auto available for those that MUST have one

Revolver

It's funny Michael - you keep answering your gripes in your own posts.

The average bunny buyer who just wants that snazzy little Mazda in a cute colour and in auto because it's simpler to drive is not gonna give two craps whether it is a 4 or 6 speeder or whether it is comparatively down on power.

You are applying enthusiast thinking to the non-enthusiast model in the RX8 range.

You are also whinging about Mazda because that's what you seem to do best.

Either sell it and buy something else or be happy about it and stop whining about every little thing Mazda does or doesn't do. Please.