"CAMRY KILLER:" The New Mazda6 - First Drive
Car companies don't admit mistakes, but Hiroshi Kajiyama doesn't have a problem fessing up to a few missteps. He's the chief program engineer for the forthcoming 2009 Mazda 6 and although his English isn't perfect, it's clear he knows the current car has problems.

Weak engines, a tight backseat and a dull interior were all on his fix-it list. He talks to us about maintaining plenty of zoom-zoom in the new car, and of course, an exciting exterior design wouldn't hurt either. "We sought an exterior design capable of stirring emotions and distinguishing the Mazda 6 from the competition. We also strived to achieve a character that encourages a strong level of interaction with the driver," says Kajiyama.

He'll need all those things to make the 2009 Mazda 6 a success. Sales of the Mazda 6/626 have stagnated at roughly 80,000 units for more than a decade. Over the same time period, the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Altima have come out of nowhere to pass it by. Mazda is aiming for over 100,000 yearly sales this time around. Here's what Kajiyama and his team did to make it happen.
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NSXRNSXR - 5/24/2008 4:05:47 PM
+1 Boost
+1 They will also have to compete against the Chevy Malibu, which I think is the best bang for the cross country sedan.


NSXRNSXR - 5/24/2008 4:07:14 PM
+1 Boost
+1

They will also have to compete against the Chevy Malibu, which I think is the best bang for the buck sedan for the cross country driving.


1fstmach1fstmach - 5/25/2008 12:40:08 PM
-4 Boost
Yeah if the whole dash assembly wasn't just colored plastics ahh wonderful GM quality

No thanks


91z4me91z4me - 5/25/2008 1:07:49 PM
+6 Boost
1fstmach,

All midsize volume sedans have interiors that are ALL colored plastic.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/24/2008 4:17:09 PM
+11 Boost
the camry beats its competitors for boredom though.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 5/24/2008 4:54:12 PM
+2 Boost
MichaelTaylor and Auto001 should start their own fansite blog and devote 24 hours a day to maintaining it. That way they don't have time to make everyone on here dumber who accidentally reads their posts.


zorbeezezorbeeze - 5/26/2008 1:21:37 PM
+4 Boost
"Does it kill the Camry in reliability too?"
It doesn't kill it but it matches it.
And btw the Camry has been the most boring car known to mankind.


BoredBored - 5/24/2008 5:48:43 PM
+1 Boost
If I was looking for a sedan, this would be on my short list.
Nice work, Mazda.


autoproautopro - 5/24/2008 6:44:04 PM
-15 Boost
Mazda's suck.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/24/2008 7:12:37 PM
+11 Boost
you suck more.


ShredmoShredmo - 5/27/2008 12:46:26 PM
+1 Boost
...not as good as you

(directed at autopro)


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/24/2008 9:43:27 PM
+2 Boost
why do people keep calling these cars camry killers the new Camry has beaten enough times by a few different brands to not be the benchmark, best seller doesnt mean benchmark


asiancars233asiancars233 - 5/24/2008 10:29:36 PM
+3 Boost
It freakishly reminds me of the front of the nissan altima


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/25/2008 9:58:24 AM
+2 Boost
the profile does also


PorschinatorPorschinator - 5/24/2008 10:45:10 PM
+3 Boost
Very nice! Segment is defintely heating up. Best looking in my opinion. Hope it delivers in the reliability dept.


StarStar - 5/25/2008 5:08:42 PM
+3 Boost
Good job Mazda!


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/26/2008 8:05:05 AM
+3 Boost
why both posting?


M35MTM35MT - 5/27/2008 8:02:30 AM
+1 Boost
Looks Great! Go Mazda!!
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