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Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue?

71 messages,  Last post on Apr 07, 2009 at 11:22 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Car Safety, Van


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#4 of 71
Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [athenasius] by maltb
Mar 04, 2008 (9:45 am)
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Replying to: athenasius (Mar 04, 2008 6:31 am)

Why would someone sell a product that has little or no demand? I understand that you want them to create the demand by offering DSC on the product, but on a product with limited appeal, this is even more risky.
 
It's always easy blame automakers for not offering this or that, but they exist to turn a profit; not to accomodate 100% of every individual's desires.
#5 of 71
Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [athenasius] by coolmazda5
Mar 04, 2008 (10:40 am)
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Replying to: athenasius (Mar 04, 2008 6:31 am)

Mazda offers ESC standard in Europe and Japan I believe (and AWD in Japan), but on one of my trips to Europe I saw a very similar Touring Model (it is called "Top") for the amount of 27100 Euros (I let you work on the exchange rate). My guess is that Mazda needed to assess between must and nice to have to make a competitive price in each market
 
If all cars are made in Japan, 27100 Euros buys me All Wheel Drive and Power Doors as well here . However I'm very happy to have paid less than USD $20K each (I own 2 Mazda5s) AND I have all the must haves included. Making them an option might not be cost effective for a small production like NA. As an example, in Spain they are expected to sell 32000 Mazda5s this year, so that and 27K Euros should pay for ESC
 
My 2 cents
#6 of 71
Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [cydwel] by mrbwa1
Mar 04, 2008 (6:14 pm)
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Replying to: cydwel (Mar 03, 2008 12:16 pm)

I'm not from Canada, but from Eastern WA, where we get our fair share of snow. The 5 does great with a good set of 4 snow tires. We had an unusually bad winter this year and I have been able to navigate through 12 inches of snow with no problems.
 
As far as ESC/TC, I may have an unpopular belief, but I am not a big fan of most systems. I can see the merit of these technologies, especially Stability Control, but in my experience, most systems do not turn off fully. Perhaps it is a liability issue, but there are times when one may need to, or more likely simply want to defeat these systems. May a system that I can turn all the way off (but that re-enables when the car is turned of and back on), and I would be much happier.
 
Also, as pointed out, the real reason is most likely $$$. It would be nice as an option, but I feel the $650 I spent on a good quality set of mounted snows offsets any traction issues. Once snow season is over, I won't have much use for TC/ESC anyway.
#7 of 71
Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [maltb] by athenasius
Mar 05, 2008 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: maltb (Mar 04, 2008 9:45 am)

spoken like a true manufacturer. I will say is slowly for you. There is a demand for it have you not watched tv auto programs for the last 5 years. And do not think that offering an option would not make them money(are you implying that they have ever sold something at a loss). i agree traction control is mostly usless and why most systems come with an off switch. but try to control the braking for 4 different wheels when going around a corner and one wheel starts to slip. since last year only cars with Electronic stability control are even considered for safe vehicle ratings now(i guess the manufacturers created a demand for safer cars gee that was nice of them ). It is not like they have to reengineer the car for it they already have it for this car at the factory. And do not blame Mazda Canada for the choices as it is owned by Mazda US so the US has to get it first. Do not get me wrong a good set of tires is great but a good set of tires with ESC will save more lives than not. IMHO
#8 of 71
Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [athenasius] by maltb
Mar 06, 2008 (7:24 am)
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Replying to: athenasius (Mar 05, 2008 7:34 pm)

"but try to control the braking for 4 different wheels when going around a corner and one wheel starts to slip."
 
That's what Electronic Brakeforce Distribution is for (part of the ABS).
 
And perhaps it sounds like a manufacturer because I understand manufacturing (silly huh?).
 
Let's look at it this way. Let's say it costs $750k to develop DSC (a very low guess). Assuming sales of 10,000 cars a year and only the top 3% are going to get DSC. If we want to amortize the program over 2 years of sales, there's a $1,250 hit on each car. Now that we have killed the profit on the car, we can figure out what the components of the DSC cost.
 
Oh wait, you said they already have it at the factory. In that case, the factory should give it up for free and also certify it for the north american market (for free) as well.
 
I think next time my neighbor has his house painted, I'll see if I can get mine painted for the cost of the paint.
#9 of 71
Stability Control by mbros2k
Mar 08, 2008 (11:16 pm)
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If you've done even a little homework, the answer is obvious...Do not even consider buying a new car without stability control. I complained to Mazda when the Mazda5 first came out, but to no avail. Too bad for Mazda5 sales, because there are lots of good cars out there with it, including most of Mazda's other fine models. Stability control is the greatest safety device since seat belts. Don't let yourself be fooled.
#10 of 71
Re: Stability Control [mbros2k] by coolmazda5
Mar 09, 2008 (4:26 am)
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Replying to: mbros2k (Mar 08, 2008 11:16 pm)

I understand that for some owners stability control is essential, that is what I'm reading in this thread, yet if we do some homework you can see the numbers speak by themselves with regards to sales. These numbers come with ZERO marketing for the car. Mazda is happy that the Mazda5 sells on its own (mostly word of mouth), so not too bad sales after all huh? Yes, it is a relative small number but I believe their focus is on their cash cows, Mazda3, CX-7, CX-9 and they are preparing to launch the new Mazda6...
 
The MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle, which has been freshened for 2008,
sold 2,021 units, a 29.1 percent increase, and the best month for the
vehicle since March, 2006. January sales were led in volume by MAZDA3,
which reported sales of 7,893 units.

 
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-200- - 8/0004766727&EDATE=
#11 of 71
Stability Control by mbros2k
Mar 09, 2008 (1:45 pm)
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Sorry, a car without stability control just won't cut it with today's competition and emphasis on safety. A car without it should be ignored by any consumer who drives on public roads... Notice how Mazda has money to develop chrome grills with logos, satin finish gas caps, and rear spoilers. It just shows you where Ford's priorities lie, and why they're going broke fast.
#12 of 71
Re: Stability Control [mbros2k] by coolmazda5
Mar 09, 2008 (2:32 pm)
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Replying to: mbros2k (Mar 09, 2008 1:45 pm)

Talking about doing some homework, what a shortsighted view you provide. Mazda is not a division of Ford, Ford owns a stake of Mazda, which is different. And stability control was created after ugly Ford, GM and Chrysler SUVs starting flipping around due to poor design, while Mazda actually has a very good one (it is not just badges and chrome). Its performance design principle makes the stability control a nice to have, but not essential.
 
As a real homework, read this article fully, that should give you more accurate information. I have extracted some highlights:
 
Quirky Japanese carmaker becomes fastest growing U.S. brand
 
Mazda's net profit increased to $627 million in the year ended March 31, 2007, from $568 million in 2006 and $427 million in 2005. The black ink puts it in stark contrast to Ford Motor Co., which owns a controlling stake in Mazda. Ford continues to lose U.S. market share and reported a $2.7 billion loss for 2007. That makes Mazda's contribution to Ford's coffers -- $204 million last year, up from $168 million in 2006 -- all the more welcome.
 
But Mazda provides Ford with something more valuable than cash. Mazda-designed architecture underlies most of Ford's new vehicles. The company has become a major part of Ford's research and development efforts, as well as the model for its new, global product development system.

 
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/AUTO01/802080360&imw=- - Y
#13 of 71
Mazda by mbros2k
Mar 09, 2008 (2:48 pm)
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