Mazda stops deliveries of Mazda 6

Mazda has stopped deliveries of its much-lauded new Mazda 6 sedan because of a problem with DC/DC convertor that sits downstream of the regenerative braking system. Mazda Australia is meeting this morning to determine what action it can take to make sure its customers are not left without a car before the Easter long weekend. Many dealers are understood to have exhausted their loan car fleet and are looking to rent vehicles for customers.

More than 1500 new generation Mazda6 sedans have been delivered since December last year -- but it is estimated there are a further 1000 cars being withheld in stock across Mazda's national network of 128 dealers.

Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver told News Limited: “We have identified a potential quality concern with the new Mazda6 and I can confirm we have suspended deliveries for the time being. We are speaking to Japan on a daily basis to resolve the issue.”

Mazda would not confirm what the problem is, but a confidential bulletin issued to dealers last week highlighted concern about the hi-tech energy recovery system.

“We can’t confirm any more details. We are still investigating and we are waiting on advice from Japan. We will share the information with the public and the media as soon as we can,” Maciver said.

The Mazda6 is the first car in the world to use a capacitor to store energy -- rather than a battery pack as used in hybrids -- as the vehicle coasts or brakes. The energy is used to power the air-conditioning and other cabin functions. The system is the centerpiece of the car’s marketing campaign, in which the car is depicted being surrounded by electrical energy.

Recalls are unusual for Mazda, which has only called cars back to dealers six times in the past three years, compared to 21 recalls for Holden and 19 for Ford in the same period.