Mazda has officially announced the retirement of the Mazda6 sedan and wagon from the Australian market, citing impending regulatory changes as the primary reason. This decision echoes similar moves by other automakers, such as Mitsubishi, who recently discontinued several models to comply with stricter Australian Design Rules.
The Mazda6, while equipped with features like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), falls short of meeting the stringent requirements of Australian Design Rule 98/00, which will come into effect on March 1, 2025. This regulatory hurdle has effectively sealed the fate of the Mazda6 in the Australian market, adding it to the growing list of vehicles discontinued due to evolving safety standards.
Despite the impending discontinuation, Mazda has assured Australian consumers that a healthy supply of Mazda6 models in various trims will remain available. This provides an opportunity for enthusiasts and those who appreciate the refined driving dynamics of the Mazda6 to acquire a final example before the model officially departs the Australian market.
The Mazda6 enjoyed a successful 22-year run in Australia, with nearly 150,000 units sold across three generations since its introduction in 2002. While sales peaked in 2005 with 15,000 units, recent years have witnessed a decline in demand for midsize sedans, a trend mirrored across the global automotive landscape. In 2024, only 1,354 Mazda6 units were sold in Australia, highlighting the increasing dominance of SUVs in the market.
Mazda's official announcement emphasized a shift in focus towards a "multi-solution strategy," encompassing models with internal combustion engines (ICE), mild-hybrid systems, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The current generation Mazda6, introduced in 2012 and subsequently updated in 2015 and 2018, ultimately succumbed to the SUV boom. It was phased out of the US and Canadian markets in 2021, followed by the UK in 2023 and Japan in 2024.
Rumors of a rear-wheel-drive Mazda6 successor powered by a six-cylinder engine have circulated for years, but Mazda has yet to materialize these plans. Instead, the company has prioritized the expansion of its SUV lineup. In 2024, Mazda introduced the EZ-6 sedan in China, a model developed in collaboration with Changan and featuring both pure-electric and range-extender powertrain options. The fully electric version, known as the Mazda 6e, has recently been introduced in Europe and the UK, serving as an indirect successor to the ICE-powered sedan and a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3. However, the availability of the Mazda 6e in the Australian market remains uncertain at this time.
The retirement of the Mazda6 in Australia signifies the evolving automotive landscape, where stringent regulations, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of SUVs are reshaping the market. While the Mazda6 may be departing the Australian market, Mazda continues to innovate and adapt, exploring new technologies and expanding its product offerings to meet the demands of the future.