When Mazda?s "Activehicle" was unveiled at the Tokyo Show last fall, it was clear the Japanese manufacturer, while introducing that truly sport ute, was not only testing visitors reactions. Mazda was preparing a production vehicle derived from that concept sport ute ready to hit the road. Furthermore, its Ford Escape twin brother, was impatiently waiting for its official introduction at the Detroit Auto Show. Finally, Los Angeles and Montreal turned out to be the launching pads for the Mazda Tribute. As it appears, the Tribute will be at the Quebec City Auto Show from February 28th to March 5. Mazda has created a new market segment with its new SUV.
Since the coming of compact sport utes such as the Grand Vitara, RAV4, CR-V and Forester, new trends have shaped up gradually in that fully effervescent world. First came the Xterra with its bold mechanics and sturdy structure. According to Nissan?s claim, its SUV had joined the compact category even if its dimensions neared the mid-sizer. It turned to be an instant ?Success Story?.
Reacting to such an invasion of the 4X4 club, several manufacturers decided to join the pack. Hyundai introduced its Santa Fe in Detroit a short while ago. The Santa Fe is a utility vehicle based on a reinforced Sonata chassis and is expected in the showrooms this summer. GM still has its Suzuki-built Tracker and notoriously innovative Chrysler still relies on its faithful Cherokee, but there are rumors of a more compact new comer. The ones left were Mazda and Ford. The Hiroshima-based firm engineers also favored a so-called new monocoque even though it derived from a 626 chassis. They definite discarded high stance sport utes seen by them as ?Large toys? for adults. To them, the latest Mazda offering, the 2001 Tribute stands out of any category.
Since the coming of compact sport utes such as the Grand Vitara, RAV4, CR-V and Forester, new trends have shaped up gradually in that fully effervescent world. First came the Xterra with its bold mechanics and sturdy structure. According to Nissan?s claim, its SUV had joined the compact category even if its dimensions neared the mid-sizer. It turned to be an instant ?Success Story?.
Reacting to such an invasion of the 4X4 club, several manufacturers decided to join the pack. Hyundai introduced its Santa Fe in Detroit a short while ago. The Santa Fe is a utility vehicle based on a reinforced Sonata chassis and is expected in the showrooms this summer. GM still has its Suzuki-built Tracker and notoriously innovative Chrysler still relies on its faithful Cherokee, but there are rumors of a more compact new comer. The ones left were Mazda and Ford. The Hiroshima-based firm engineers also favored a so-called new monocoque even though it derived from a 626 chassis. They definite discarded high stance sport utes seen by them as ?Large toys? for adults. To them, the latest Mazda offering, the 2001 Tribute stands out of any category.