Mazda to sell Mazda 8 MPV in China in 2009

Shanghai, December 3 (Gasgoo.com) Mazda has announced that its high-end MPV Mazda 8 will go on sale in China in 2009, according to xkbnet.com, citing Mazda Motor (China) president and COO Noriaki Yamada.
 
The 3.0L Mazda 8 is positioned as a medium- to high-end luxury MPV, highlighting the MPV multifunction and comfort in its designs. The Mazda 8 MPV rivals with Toyota Previa, Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival in the world, while in China the top MPV of Mazda lineup is set to compete with Buick GL8 and Honda Odyssey, with price expected at between 200,000 yuan ($29,197) and 250,000 yuan.

The Mazda 8 MPV has twin sliding doors for access into the rear, and can be opened electrically by the driver. It seats seven and is powered by the same L3-VDT in the Mazda CX7, which has ample torque to haul the whole family plus luggage around on trips. It features a side view camera, which helps side-parking the large vehicle.

Despite achieving good sales in China, Mazda got headache for the unbalanced development between its two joint ventures—the FAW Mazda and Changan Mazda.

Noriaki Yamada said Mazda is in talks with its partners to strengthen Changan Mazda.