Mazda bids farewell to its midsize sedan, the Mazda 6, in its home market of Japan. The ageing model, known as the Atenza in Japan, will cease production in mid-April, marking the end of a 22-year journey since its launch. With 226,437 units sold in Japan, the Mazda 6 leaves behind a legacy but also raises questions about Mazda’s sedan strategy.

The current generation of the Mazda 6, in production since 2012, faced discontinuation in the United States and the United Kingdom in 2021 and 2023, respectively. While it had grown long in the tooth, fans hoped for a successor or at least a direct replacement to continue the sedan/wagon legacy.

Mazda’s decision to discontinue the 6 in Japan comes with a disappointing revelation – no immediate plans for a successor. The statement indicates that Mazda’s CX lineup of crossovers will assume the role left by the sedan. This leaves enthusiasts of sedans and wagons yearning for a comparable replacement, especially given that the Mazda3 is considered smaller and lacks a more practical wagon variant.

Speculations about a next-generation Mazda 6 surfaced in 2022, despite Mazda ruling out a new model on its rear-wheel-drive platform. However, the recent statement suggests a different narrative. While the Mazda 6 will continue production in other global factories, its retirement from Japan signals a potential exit from several international markets that received the Japan-built version.

As Mazda embraces the dominance of crossovers in its lineup, the discontinuation of the Mazda 6 marks the end of an era for the beloved sedan in its home market. In the Malaysian market however, Bermaz Motor had unveiled the Mazda6 20th Anniversary Edition in October of last year. Pricing starts from RM 180,359.00.