√New Mazda CX-60 won’t cannibalise CX-5 sales: Mazda Australia

The Japanese brand’s local boss is unconcerned by internal rivalry in the medium SUV segment.

The incoming Mazda CX-60 mid-size SUV is unlikely to cannibalise sales of the brand’s most popular model, the CX-5, when it lands in Australia later this year.

That’s according to Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi who told Drive that despite playing in the same medium SUV segment, the CX-60 is positioned as a more premium offering.

“There will be some customers that will move from one Mazda to another Mazda nameplate and that’s okay,” Bhindi said. “Our idea of giving customers more choice, well that’s our strategic intent. It fits in quite well.”

Mazda CX-5 won’t compete with CX-60 on price

The updated Mazda CX-5 hits showrooms this month, featuring some design tweaks and updated technologies designed to keep the brand’s most popular model in Australia fresh. However, it will face competition from within its own ranks when the all-new CX-60 – also a medium SUV – lands in showrooms before the end of the year.

But, with the CX-60 targeted at the premium end of the segment where it will go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, Bhindi remained unconcerned at a potential drop in CX-5 sales.

“We see CX-60 as being more premium than what we’ve seen in CX-5,” he told Drive. “So, customers will have an opportunity to consider something that’s different.

The new Mazda CX-60 arrives later this year

“It’s a rear-wheel drive platform, the craftsmanship will be at another level, packaging will be at another level, technology that will go with it, again that will be more advanced.

“It’s a natural progression. But in the end, if the customer says, ‘I’m going to buy a Mazda’, then we’re not cannibalising.”

The new CX-60 medium SUV is the first Mazda model to ride on the brand’s new ‘Large Architecture’, designed around a rear-wheel-drive layout – with the option of inline-six petrol and diesel engines, or a new plug-in hybrid system.

Pricing for Australia is yet to be confirmed, however, it’s unlikely to compete with the freshly-updated CX-5 which is priced from $32,190 to $53,180 depending on specification and trim level.

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