Mazda States That Sports Cars Remain 'Essential' to Its Operations, and Not Limited to Just the Miata.

      Guy Spangenberg

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      The newly introduced 2026 Mazda CX-5 has just been unveiled, and based on the performance of its predecessor, this revamped version is anticipated to be a top seller for years ahead. While this is positive news for the Japanese automaker's financial health, enthusiasts are particularly curious about the future of Mazda's sports cars.

      In a discussion with Stefan Meisterfeld, VP of Strategic Planning for North America, The Drive discovered that Mazda still views sporty, engaging vehicles as "essential" to its operations—and it appears there might be potential for a new sports car alongside the iconic MX-5 Miata.

      “We aim to cater to diverse customers with varied solutions, accommodating different budgets and both functional and emotional needs,” Meisterfeld explained to The Drive. “Thus, the MX-5 and sports cars in general will continue to be an important aspect of our offerings.

      “The Miata holds a special place for all of us. Our engineers are committed to preserving this heritage, which is evidently significant. We will keep offering the Miata and will explore new interpretations. The sports car legacy associated with our brand is very important to us,” Meisterfeld remarked.

      Blue Fish Productions for Mazda

      While Meisterfeld is not necessarily suggesting or committing to a new sports car, it's noteworthy that he specifically referred to “MX-5 and then sports cars in general” as two distinct categories.

      Like many brands, Mazda must make careful decisions about where to allocate its investments, and developing new or updating existing crossovers and SUVs will likely remain its safest strategy. The current models CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 are significant players in crucial and competitive segments of the passenger vehicle market. However, the sedan and hatchback versions of the 3 do not wholly fill the gap left by the previous RX-8 and Mazdaspeed variants.

      “The business primarily revolves around crossovers, yet all of these models incorporate aspects of our core driving DNA, which is fundamentally represented by the MX-5,” Meisterfeld stated.

      Ultimately, Meisterfeld is correct in noting that the brand's SUVs embody the Mazda driving essence that makes them enjoyable to drive, but if sports cars are genuinely vital to Mazda, there is hope for updates on that front soon.

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