Mazda o-Matic?

**carlo_41786** · March 3rd, 2008 09:51 PM

Just out of curiosity. Why is it that Mazda Philippines didn't bother putting manual transmission on all variants of their cars, from Mazda 3 to CX-8. I haven't seen any, except the Mazdaspeed 3 which i think not locally manufactured... Well for sure, not all of us like automatic tranny even though its easier to drive than the manual tranny but then, some of us still want manual over matic is just because it's more fun to drive.

Is it Mazda's marketing strategy? or they just don't like manual transmission?
TIA.

**ghosthunter** · March 4th, 2008 08:38 AM

Its probably the cost of having two models including service parts. A car dealer's job is not done the moment the car is sold. They have to provide all the parts that would need replacing. So if they limit the number of models sold (like all A/T and no M/T) it would mean less "items" to keep in stock.

The Mazda3 line up is currently composed of three models, the 1.6 sedan, 1.6 hatch and the 2.0L sedan, all with automatic tranny. If Mazda would offer manual tranny, it would suddenly balloon to six models which would increase the need for inventory (or cost of money) for the actual cars & spare parts for those cars as well.

**niky** · March 4th, 2008 03:03 PM

(They could share those parts with Ford... which does sell the manual versions).

Unfortunately, Mazda's target demographic, despite the "zoom-zoom" claim seems to be upmarket buyers and new drivers, who don't really like to shift for themselves.

**ryan** · March 5th, 2008 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by niky

Unfortunately, Mazda's target demographic, despite the "zoom-zoom" claim seems to be upmarket buyers and new drivers, who don't really like to shift for themselves.

I think since Mazda market and network is not yet very big, it makes more business sense to carry less variants on their different car models in the meantime unless there is strong demand for M/T cars.

But more about m/t, I'm sure some drivers would like to have a car with one (like me), but with our terrible traffic situation which is probably among the worst in the world, it is too much of a burden.

**carlo_41786** · March 5th, 2008 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by ryan

I think since Mazda market and network is not yet very big, it makes more business sense to carry less variants on their different car models in the meantime unless there is strong demand for M/T cars.

But more about m/t, I'm sure some drivers would like to have a car with one (like me), but with our terrible traffic situation which is probably among the worst in the world, it is too much of a burden.

Hmmm. it seems like mazda's really target in our domestic market are those people who live within metro manila which always dwell in heavy trafic condition... Professionals, Executives, rich peoples who will rather have Matic over Manual.
But during the time of Mazda 323. they had manual tranny right?

**niky** · March 6th, 2008 12:28 PM

Mazda could actually share transmissions with the Ford Focus... it's the same engine, after all (plus or minus a few accessories and with different computer programming).

It's not cost... it's just market placement.

With the 323, they were directly targetting the Sentra/Lancer/Corolla crowd.

With the 3, they're now going after the Civic crowd... the slightly more upmarket types who value style and convenience.