New Mazda 2 still a competitively priced first car at $22K according to Mazda Australia

During the launch of the updated Mazda2 hatchback, the country's second-most-popular car brand was keen to position the entry-point into its range as an ideal first car.

But at $22,410 before on-road costs for the manual Pure variant, is it realistic to expect first car buying teenagers to consider a new Mazda2, if a new car at all?

Mazda Australia's Head of Marketing Alastair Doak said he still expects the Mazda2 to remain competitive and tick the boxes the brand needs to consider it a success.

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"I mean, all cars have become more expensive over the last few years, for various reasons," said Doak.

"Cost of raw materials, cost of production, cost of distribution, transport - all that kind of stuff. So that's just where we're at with the marketplace.

Mazda Australia’s Head of Marketing Alastair Doak said he still expects the Mazda2 to remain competitive.

"I think where we've got the car price, it's within the segment, it still offers value for money.

"And if that's the case, then we'll still find, you know, 5000 buyers a year for it. So yeah, it's competitive. It offers great value.

The country’s third-most-popular car brand was keen to position the entry-point into its range as an ideal first car.

"So I guess that's where the segment is and where the market has become more expensive across all categories."

While the above-$22,000 entry to the range, or $24,410 in auto, falls below traditional competitor the Toyota Yaris' $24,800 starting price, both cars could be had from the mid-teens just a few years ago.

At ,410 before on-road costs for the manual Pure variant, is it realistic to expect first car buying teenagers to consider a new Mazda2, if a new car at all?

When asked, Doak said it's unlikely we'll see prices drop despite easing production costs compared to the increases seen during pandemic lockdowns.

"Well, I think the costs, the base costs, may not be rising as much, and obviously the world is grappling with quite rampant inflation - I think all economies are doing their best to get that runaway inflation under control," he said.

When asked, Doak said it’s unlikely we’ll see prices drop despite easing production costs compared to the increases seen during pandemic lockdowns.

"It doesn't mean that you go into negative, it just means that the price to go higher is less, it takes the pressure off of that.

"We're still seeing some underlying inflation on things like energy costs and those sorts of things that are still putting pressure on pricing.

“I mean, all cars have become more expensive over the last few years, for various reasons,” said Doak.

"So let's see what happens, but we'll do everything we can to stick with the Mazda strategy, which has always been to offer very good value across everything we sell.

"And really, that's all we can say about that, that's what we'll always strive to do and deliver, for repeat customers and new customers to the Mazda brand."