Mazda Needs to Use Its Nomenclature

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
12/26/2015 at 06:30 • Filed to: Mazda

We are running out of decent alphanumerics, and Mazda is over here hoarding the best ones! They use the CX-# setup without any problem, however what is with the Mazda LaMazda3 and 6?

In the US, the Mazda Mazda2 and Mazda Mazda5 are gone, so this scheme is a relic. They aren’t going to make any other MX-#s besides the MX-5 and everyone in the US calls the thing Miata without a care. Hell, then Mazda has the audacity to hold on to RX-# like they will ever use anything besides RX-7 or RX-9. Numbers 1 through 6 could be a company’s entire lineup!

What I’m trying to get at is they need to sell off the “MX-#” and “RX-#” name schemes to some other automaker and call the MX-5 solely Miata, and use the money to keep going strong. Since they will only make one RX model a decade, they could name it the Arix or Riata, something that sounds lIke audible spirit fingers. Or instead, they can rename the Mazda3 and 6 to MX-3 and MX-6 and actually use their shit. We all know they aren’t going to make any 2-door versions, and if they do, just toss on the word coupe. All I want is some brand uniformity here!

DISCUSSION (12)

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Wobbles the Mind
12/26/2015 at 06:42

Alphanumerics were supposed to be easy to be remembered, but because now almost every manufacturer uses them it is so frustrating to remember them and what they mean.

On topic of you suggestion, it is not gonna happen just for the above reason. No brand will use them, because it will confuse people even more. Also in Europe nobody know what a Miata is, we know it as the MX-5.

I wish we get beck to normal names in the future. Even I as a car guy can’t follow the naming logic of the companies.

Sam > Wobbles the Mind
12/26/2015 at 06:59

At least they aren’t Infiniti, with their QXxx, Qxx, and Gxx (which is also the Qxx) crap going on.

Sam > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
12/26/2015 at 07:04

I never understood why the Miata was the MX-5 in the Europe. I guess the 90’s were before globalisation fully took hold. Of course, in Japan it was just ‘Roadster’, but that wouldn’t work anywhere.

Wobbles the Mind > Sam
12/26/2015 at 07:08

I’m not sure CXx, MXx, RXx, MazdaX and MazdaspeedX are much better though. Especially when Lexus is NXxxx, RXxxx, GXxxx, LXxxx, ISxxx, ESxxx, GSxxx, LSxxx, RCxxx, SCxxx, and soon LCxxx. Or Audi being Ax, Sx, RSx, QXx, SQXx, Rx, and TT. Honestly Infiniti may be too simple now with just Qxx and QXxx.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Sam
12/26/2015 at 09:41

I seem to remember a dispute between Mazda and a Japanese bicycle manufacturer named Miyata.

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > Wobbles the Mind
12/26/2015 at 10:46

The US may only be getting the CX models, the Miata, and the 3 and 6, but the US isn’t the only market. The Mazda2 still sells in other markets (and may yet return to our market if they can price it competitively to the Mirage), and the Mazda5 is still sold in some Asian markets (as well as the MPV, it turns out). Regarding the RX models, to my knowledge, Mazda has never had more than one RX in production at a time, even in the rotary-crazy ‘70s, and if the Tokyo Auto Show is to be believed, there’s a new RX on it’s way...it just may not be soon.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Sam
12/26/2015 at 10:58

I think “Mazda Roadster” is about the most accurate and memorable name they could give it. It would transcend generations and be instantly recognizable, plus it would be completely unambiguous. If you said that, everyone thinks exactly what you’re thinking.

If you’re going to use those crazy German/Euro style strings of letters and numbers, at least make it simple and consistent. Pretty much everyone has jumped the shark with them in the last 10-15 years.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious
12/26/2015 at 11:02

My disappointment is high that they didn’t bring the new Mazda2 to the US market. They look so much nicer. They were the choice of discerning people that would have otherwise bought a Mirage or Versa...

Sam > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
12/26/2015 at 18:22

I mostly meant they couldn’t use Roadster globally because it’s likely trademarked somewhere.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Wobbles the Mind
12/26/2015 at 23:01

I wouldnt mind Mazda bringing back the MX-# cars. The 80’s and 90’s were helluva time. They sold them with nicknames over here in the Great White North, while the MX-3 became the MX-3 Precidia, the MX-6 became the MX-6 Mystere up here. I find that a cool idea. Not many companies do this any more. It deserves a comeback.

Wobbles the Mind > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
12/26/2015 at 23:08

That is exactly the type of names I love! Ferrari 458 Italia, 430 Scuderia, Pontiac GTO Judge. It’s just cool to have an agent number and a codename.

dogisbadob > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious
12/26/2015 at 23:35

Is the 5 still sold in Canada? I know the Rondo is.