Why doesnt Mazda advertise the RX8 more?
 

Hey guys,

Long time! First time posting on this site in over a year....not that I didn't want to, but I haven't had any time, it has been a crazy year.

Anyways, I was just watching TV and the Mazda "year end drive-off" commercial was on. As always, the RX8 was excluded from the commercial, even though they are included in the event.

I can't tell you how long it has been since I've seen an RX8 commercial. It literally has been years. Mazda is complaining about the slow sales of the RX8, but have they ever thought that maybe it's because they never advertise the vehcle? It doesn't make any sense to me.

I know, the RX8 isn't for the masses. But Mazda doesn't have to pretend like it doesn't exist, either......they are still making them.

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Oh, and on an unrelated note, my RX8 now has 111,000 miles on it, and the engine is still running as strong as the day I got it. So much for people claiming the rotary is "unreliable"....I am expecting to get another 80,000 miles or so out of it. I'll keep everyone updated if it gets there.

Q: How many would you want to sell if you were losing money on each one?

A: As few as possible. :)


Likely this is the actual reason, or the basis behind the actual reason.

they lose money by selling rx8s???

Well, on an individual basis, probably not, but the model as a whole as been a cost, not a profit, mainly due to warranty work on them. The sale itself is profitable, but after is a different story.

because the warranty sucks

lets see, sell a car that makes less than 200 whp, gets 18 mpg, and costs 30k.... no sense in tossing good money after bad.

when it was new, cool. but with the economy in the crapper, it's time to watch what ad dollars are spent on and go for the bread and butter cars like the 3 and 6.

they're just keeping the rx8 around to satisfy the rotary junkies until they put out the new rx9....

That or maybe they're saving commercial time for when they release the MS RX8!!!!!

I get 13mpg.

haah i love my mpg : )

Yes an ad campaign dedicated to the RX8 is probably not money well spent at this point, but adding 2 seconds to include some RX8 footage and "RX-8" text as part of the same ads shouldn't add much cost (and its already budgeted). I agree with the OP, they leave it out all the time even though the same promotions apply. Maybe their ad agency just doesn't know it even exists :)

Well they sure as hell changed the RX8 section of their website. Looks nifty.

same reason that honda never really advertised the s2000. it's not a volume seller, and people who would buy cars like these don't need to see advertising to want one

Agree with all of the above. Better for Mazda to spend limited advertising dollars on the volume (hopefully profitable) models.

/\ Exactly.

For once I think I can say that I agree with the entirety of this thread....Im shocked lol

Makes the car all the more rarer.

Most car companies do not advertise there sport cars generally. I have not seen many ads for the new ford taurus SHO but for a general taurus event. I don't see R8 (exaggerated example) commercials. I mean I don't remember many RX-8 commercials to begin with

chevy does not market the vet on any of the comercials ether. just like someone already said its not a volume seller. econo cars are what is selling higher mpg under 15k thats whats hot now.

^this.

I have seen very few ads from sports cars of all manufacturers in commercials in the U.S. I've heard that outside of the U.S., there's a lot more sports cars advertised.

For example, I have never seen an ad including the GT-R or the ZR-1. I've seen no ad that directly markets the 350/370z. I have never seen an ad for the STI/Evolution, only for the base model. And I watch a lot of TV. Even Mercedes, BMW, and Audi show their family/business class, and not their sports class.

I will say I saw the commercials for the Mitsubishi Eclipse when it was re-made, which by my above logic, makes it not a sports car :bootyshak

fail wheel drive != sports car.

my logic.

^ damn straight =D

Thanks for all the responses. I guess it makes sense......although there is a huge difference in price between an RX8 and a GT-R/ZR1. It makes sense that Chevy and Nissan don't advertise their halo cars that cost $100,000, but most people can afford an RX8.....$30,000 on average for a new RX8 is not unreachable.

Shnifty, how did you get the vehicle to display "shnifty"? I didn't know that could be adjusted. That's pretty cool

I threw those in because those are the most current sports cars that I can think of.

I mentioned the 350/370z since that's the closest class to ours, and as far as I know, the S4, the 3 series beemers, the SL series Mercs, and the TT don't get commercials either.

I think there are commercials for Mustangs and Camaros, but that could be because Americans know those cars extremely well.

It really depends on where you are located to see the commercials.

Does anyone have money to spend on advertising?

LOL, Photoshop.

Anyone have a pitcure of the RX8 magazine ad w/the word find that had "sweedishtwins" above the rx8?

I have wondered if Mazda would even bother to continue to sell the RX-8 if it weren't for racing requirements so they can race in series such as the Grand-Am Rolex series, not to mention the people who race "real" RX-8s in more grassroots racing series. They probably still would, as it is a bit of a halo car for Mazda, being their only rotary powered car, but I'm not sure.

Regardless, the scarcity of RX-8s on the road (at least here in Michigan) is one of the many reasons I chose the RX-8. I see many times as many C6 Corvettes on the road as I do RX-8s, and the reactions I get from strangers on the road when I'm driving my RX-8 are priceless. I've seen kids go nuts in the backs of their parents' minivans and SUVs, bicycle riders will frequently stare at my car as I go by in the other direction, and people will routinely ask me about the car or its funky "Sparkling Black Mica" paint job, comment on my license plate ("WANKEL"), and tell me how cool my car is at traffic lights. Not only is this car a hoot to drive, but it sure seems to have a high "cool" factor!

I have never seen a mazda commercial.

There are always commercials for honda, acura, ford, gm.

mazda probably just lacks the technology.

But look at how overexposed rx8 is already in many markets. I have not washed the car in 6 months, just trying to stay hidden and not so obvious! Not another rx8! A billion out there now in the favorite "me too me too" configuration: no spoiler, auto, stock mouse exhaust, overweight female driver, who think they are being unique by getting white or black. Starting to become cheesy like the ipod.

I'd say being "like the ipod" is way too much of an exaggeration. Mustangs would be closer to what the ipod is :bootyshak

We only see a lot of RX-8's because we look for them. 90% of my friends think my car is some sort of rarity; they don't know what it is and they think that's awesome. The 10% of my friends who know what RX-8's are appreciate that it's a good looking sports car that they don't often see. So it really depends on your area, and whose eyes you are looking through.

I dunno if its true or not, but according to wikipedia, 2010 is the last year for rx8 in canada and the u.s. so we're about to get more rare