The Mazda6, due in South Africa this year, is receiving rave reviews across the world and has won 23 awards.
The Mazda6, due in South Africa this year, is receiving rave reviews across the world and has won 23 awards.
According to , since its launch in May 2002 the Mazda6 has won 23 awards in 16 countries. The model has been around for less than a year and is already one of the most successful new cars in Mazda’s 82-year history. Sales in Japan reached 18 725 from March until the end of November, while 75 928 were sold in the overseas markets during the same period.
In December 2002, the Mazda6, known as the Atenza in Japan, received nine awards in its home market and abroad. The awards included the “Japan Car Design Award Golden Marker Trophy (commercial production)”, a design award hosted by magazine. It beat 29 other new vehicles launched in 2002. It was also included in American magazine ’s “2003 10 best”. The magazine’s editorial judged it the best out of 41 finalists.
The Mazda6 was named car of the year in Scotland, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania, as well as placing second in the European car of the year competition (behind the Renault Megane).
It was named family car of the year in Belgium and Sweden, business car of the year in New Zealand, best mid-size car in Australia and best medium family saloon or hatchback in Singapore. The Mazda6 took the title of magazine’s car of the year as chosen by the readers in Israel and best premium compact in Israel.
CARtoday.com reported last month that the Automotive Researchers’ & Journalists’ Conference of Japan selected the Mazda6 as its car of the year, though it did not win Japanese car of the year.