Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca to be Axed

Two separate Japanese automakers are planning similar fates for their underperforming vehicles, with both the Subaru Tribeca and Mazda6 set to be discontinued in the near future.

Both models are nearing the end of their production cycles, (or have arguably exceeded them), and neither will live to see a second generation reports the Nikkan Kogyo business paper. The made-in-the-USA vehicles are being scrapped both due to low sales, as well as larger logistical problems.

As concerns the Subaru Tribeca, development of a next-gen model has reportedly been scrapped and the loss of the SUV isn’t something Subaru execs in America are upset over, as it would open up an extra line at the company’s Indiana plant where it is struggling to meet demand for the new Outback and Legacy. So far this year, Tribeca sales have reached just 910 units.

As for the equally long-in-the-tooth Mazda6, it sold just 45,000 units in 2010, less than half of what Mazda was expecting. Too important of a segment to give up on, it’s hard to think Mazda would drop the 6 entirely, and the automaker is reportedly mulling a decision to move production of a next-gen model to a new plant in Mexico.

[Source: Automotive News]