Mazda might be developing a new CX-3 sub-compact SUV
We’re going to have yet another small SUV set to be released in 2014, with a Japanese newspaper reporting that the Mazda CX-3 will be debuting by this year’s end.
According to the Nikkei newspaper claims a new Mazda 2-based crossover model is expected to be sold by the end of the year, most likely created from the new-generation Mazda2 city car which is expected to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March.
It appears that the Japanese carmaker has claimed that this report is pure speculation however, it is already known that Mazda was already deep into engineering phase of the new sub-compact SUV to sit below the popular CX-5 – a vehicle model that would compete with the ever-expanding range of city SUVs which already features the Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008, Ford EcoSport and Nissan Juke.
According to statements from the company, they are working on a more compact SUV meant for the European market and most likely for some other emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, South America and India. This model will surely get built whether it will be called CX-2, CX-3 or CX-4.
We have to mention that the Nikkei report doesn’t quote any source for its information and also contradicts other statements from officials. This new potential vehicle will be first sold in Japan and then would spread to Europe and other markets.
The fact of the matter is that on a global scale, the sub-compact SUV segment cannot be ignored. It is booming at the moment – even if from a lower base – but it is the few parts of the automotive industry that is doing so. In an environment when major markets are either still decreasing or have barely stabilized to some degree, a growing segment is important to exploit by carmakers.
