Is Canada Ready for a Mini-Minivan? Is Mazda taking a big chance launching its compact Mazda5 minivan in North America? After all, mini-MPVs may do well in Europe where the
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| Mazda is looking to fill a market niche that no rival has yet been interested in targeting. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
average vehicle size is much smaller than on this side of the Atlantic, but most of its North American competitors are making larger vans, not downsizing. Rest assured that the alternative Japanese automaker isn't about to replace its midsize MPV minivan with the new compact model, but rather fill a market niche that no rival has yet been interested in targeting. And at $19,995, the base GL version should interest a select group of buyers needing practical transportation but not willing or able to move up to the current crop of larger, more expensive vans.
But will the Mazda5 sell well enough to deem it a success? That will remain to be seen, but most likely it will be better received here in Canada where top
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| Will the Mazda5 sell well enough to deem it a success? That remains to be seen. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
selling vehicles include compact cars and midsize minivans, than it will south of the 49th where midsize sedans and SUVs are most popular. And there's precedent for this type of vehicle too. If you think back to the late '80s and early '90s, you may remember the popular Colt Vista, made by Mitsubishi but sold in Canada as a Dodge. Or how about the quirky Nissan Axxess micro-van that sold from model year 1990 to 1995. These were quite popular in their time, and those who currently own them are still extremely loyal to their diminutive rides.
