Mazda Cronos
Encyclopedia
Mazda used the Cronos name in Japan
from 1991 until 1995 for a redesign of the Mazda Capella
. This vehicle platform (GE) was sold in the United States
as the Mazda 626
during the same period. In Japan, the station wagon variant of the older-generation GD Capella remained in production. All three models were replaced with the GF in 1997, and the Cronos name was retired.
The Cronos' GE platform was central to Mazda's ambitious expansion plan of doubling sales in a five-year span. Including the badge-engineered Ford Telstar, a total of six cars were spawned off the same platform, launched under five different brands in Japan over a two-year period. All of these models ended their production run as flops, most likely due to the difficulties involved in promoting so many new nameplates at the same time.
Until 1989, Japanese car taxation used a car's width as a key determinant. The Cronos and its siblings (bar the Eunos 500) all exceed the critical 1700 mm (66.9 in) level in width. Moving in accord with early-1990s zeitgeist
, Mazda considered width a key factor in the Cronos' sales failure, and proceeded to create a 1700 mm (66.9 in)-wide stopgap solution. This car was introduced in 1994 as the new Capella sedan.
The Cronos continued to be sold outside Japan until 1997/98, when the Capella was redesigned.
The was a mid-size sedan sold under Mazda
's minicar marque from 1992 until 1994. It shared Mazda's GE platform with cars like the Mazda 626
and MX-6
.
The Clef was mechanically related to the Cronos, but featured different fenders, bonnet, boot lid and rear side window designs. The Autozam franchise was Mazda's attempt in participating in similar efforts from Toyota, Nissan and Honda that established different sales chains but sold badge engineered vehicles in Japan.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from 1991 until 1995 for a redesign of the Mazda Capella
Mazda Capella
The second generation rear-wheel drive Capella was available between 1978 and 1982, in both sedan and coupe forms. It was known on export markets as the Mazda 626, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it was called the Mazda Montrose, the name was changed to honour the local Mazda...
. This vehicle platform (GE) was sold in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as the Mazda 626
Mazda 626
The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car...
during the same period. In Japan, the station wagon variant of the older-generation GD Capella remained in production. All three models were replaced with the GF in 1997, and the Cronos name was retired.
The Cronos' GE platform was central to Mazda's ambitious expansion plan of doubling sales in a five-year span. Including the badge-engineered Ford Telstar, a total of six cars were spawned off the same platform, launched under five different brands in Japan over a two-year period. All of these models ended their production run as flops, most likely due to the difficulties involved in promoting so many new nameplates at the same time.
Until 1989, Japanese car taxation used a car's width as a key determinant. The Cronos and its siblings (bar the Eunos 500) all exceed the critical 1700 mm (66.9 in) level in width. Moving in accord with early-1990s zeitgeist
Zeitgeist
Zeitgeist is "the spirit of the times" or "the spirit of the age."Zeitgeist is the general cultural, intellectual, ethical, spiritual or political climate within a nation or even specific groups, along with the general ambiance, morals, sociocultural direction, and mood associated with an era.The...
, Mazda considered width a key factor in the Cronos' sales failure, and proceeded to create a 1700 mm (66.9 in)-wide stopgap solution. This car was introduced in 1994 as the new Capella sedan.
The Cronos continued to be sold outside Japan until 1997/98, when the Capella was redesigned.
Autozam Clef
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
's minicar marque from 1992 until 1994. It shared Mazda's GE platform with cars like the Mazda 626
Mazda 626
The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car...
and MX-6
Mazda MX-6
The first generation MX-6 appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991. It was based on a series of futuristic sports compact concept cars of the early 1980s...
.
The Clef was mechanically related to the Cronos, but featured different fenders, bonnet, boot lid and rear side window designs. The Autozam franchise was Mazda's attempt in participating in similar efforts from Toyota, Nissan and Honda that established different sales chains but sold badge engineered vehicles in Japan.