All-New 2008 Tribute Expected to be More Car-Like
If there's a vehicle that doesn't quite fit into Mazda's sporty lineup as well as the 3, 6, MX-5, RX-8 and new CX-7, it's the Ford Escape
cloned Tribute. When it debuted, way back in 2000 as a 2001 model, it easily drove away with all the entry-level sport utility fun-to-drive awards thanks to an athletic 200-horsepower V6, in top trim levels, and a relatively agile suspension, but times have changed and the Tribute has trouble measuring up to the cream of the compact SUV crop.
What's it up against? A bevy of new imports, that's what. The Korean contingent launched its Hyundai/Kia Tucson/Sportage duo last year, which are more refined, priced better, offer more standard equipment including more safety features, while Suzuki's new Grand Vitara moves the class upscale and Toyota's all-new RAV4 (if it can still be called compact) is the powerhouse of the segment (see photo gallery for photos of these competitive models). The Tribute's worst enemy, however, comes from within; Ford's best-selling Escape. The Escape isn't any better than the Tribute, but big money marketing and that familiar blue-oval brand woos the buy-American crowd in a way that leaves the disenfranchised import
just trying to get noticed. The fact is that import buyers are savvy enough to realize that the Tribute is little more than a domestic SUV with a Mazda grille, plus a few interior upgrades to give it a little upscale flare. What to do? Pull the plug, at least for now.
The move to halt production until an all-new version arrives makes sense, especially when factoring in the all-new CX-7 crossover is on the way for the 2007 model year, a vehicle that more succinctly fits into Mazda's slightly upscale, sport-oriented philosophy. Therefore, this year's Tribute will be the last of the current generation, a hiatus that will result in an all-new Tribute arriving for 2008.
The new model, expected to ride on a variation of the Mazda3 architecture,
which currently underpins Ford's European (soon to be North American) Focus and Volvo's fabulous S40 sedan and V50 wagon, will soon carry Volvo's all-new compact luxury XC50 crossover, Land Rover's upcoming Freelander replacement, and, of course, an all-new Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner (the Mariner not sold in Canada).
Unlike the Tribute, which will cease production in May, the Escape and Mariner twins will continue to be built for the 2007 model year; although in abbreviated numbers due to tooling preparations for the next-generation models (production starts in January). According to Ford, there won't be any layoffs at the Claycomo, Kansas plant to compensate for the loss of the Tribute, nor will production levels slow.
Ford
produced 40,677 Tributes at the Claycomo plant in 2005, compared with 215,371 Escapes. The Dearborn-based automaker transferred production of the Mariner to Claycomo last fall, and during the final three months of 2005, Ford built 9,038 Mariners at the Claycomo plant.
Mazda sold 36,761 Tributes in the U.S. in 2005, which is approximately an 11 percent decline from the previous year. Incidentally, Ford's Claycomo plant also builds the F-Series pickup, the top-selling vehicle in the U.S.
If there's a vehicle that doesn't quite fit into Mazda's sporty lineup as well as the 3, 6, MX-5, RX-8 and new CX-7, it's the Ford Escape
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| The five-year old Tribute hardly fits Mazda's sporty lineup as well as the 3, 6, MX-5, RX-8 and new CX-7. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
What's it up against? A bevy of new imports, that's what. The Korean contingent launched its Hyundai/Kia Tucson/Sportage duo last year, which are more refined, priced better, offer more standard equipment including more safety features, while Suzuki's new Grand Vitara moves the class upscale and Toyota's all-new RAV4 (if it can still be called compact) is the powerhouse of the segment (see photo gallery for photos of these competitive models). The Tribute's worst enemy, however, comes from within; Ford's best-selling Escape. The Escape isn't any better than the Tribute, but big money marketing and that familiar blue-oval brand woos the buy-American crowd in a way that leaves the disenfranchised import
 |
| The move to halt production until an all-new version arrives makes sense, especially when factoring in the all-new CX-7 crossover is on the way for the 2007 model year. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
The move to halt production until an all-new version arrives makes sense, especially when factoring in the all-new CX-7 crossover is on the way for the 2007 model year, a vehicle that more succinctly fits into Mazda's slightly upscale, sport-oriented philosophy. Therefore, this year's Tribute will be the last of the current generation, a hiatus that will result in an all-new Tribute arriving for 2008.
The new model, expected to ride on a variation of the Mazda3 architecture,
 |
| Unlike the Tribute, which will cease production in May, the Escape will continue to be built for the 2007 model year. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Unlike the Tribute, which will cease production in May, the Escape and Mariner twins will continue to be built for the 2007 model year; although in abbreviated numbers due to tooling preparations for the next-generation models (production starts in January). According to Ford, there won't be any layoffs at the Claycomo, Kansas plant to compensate for the loss of the Tribute, nor will production levels slow.
Ford
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| With Tribute sales declining, it's time to go. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
Mazda sold 36,761 Tributes in the U.S. in 2005, which is approximately an 11 percent decline from the previous year. Incidentally, Ford's Claycomo plant also builds the F-Series pickup, the top-selling vehicle in the U.S.
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