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Mazda Tribute Going on Ice for 2007

All-New 2008 Tribute Expected to be More Car-Like
   
If theres a vehicle that doesnt quite fit into Mazdas sporty lineup as well as the 3, 6, MX-5, RX-8 and new CX-7, its the Ford Escape cloned Tribute. When it debuted, way back in 2000 as a 2001 model, it easily drove away with all the entry-level sport utility fun-to-drive awards thanks to an athletic 200-horsepower V6, in top trim levels, and a relatively agile suspension, but times have changed and the Tribute has trouble measuring up to the cream of the compact SUV crop.

safety featuWhats it up against? A bevy of new imports, thats

The five-year old Tribute hardly fits Mazdas sporty lineup as well as the 3, 6, MX-5, RX-8 and new CX-7. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

what. The Korean contingent launched its Hyundai/Kia Tucson/Sportage duo last year, which are more refined, priced better, offer more standard equipment including moreres, while Suzukis new Grand Vitara moves the class upscale and Toyotas all-new RAV4 (if it can still be called compact) is the powerhouse of the segment (see gallery for photos of these competitive models).

The move to halt production until an all-new version arrives makes sense, especially when factoring in the all-new CX-7 crossover is on the way for the 2007 model year. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

The Tributes worst enemy, however, comes from within; Fords best-selling Escape. The Escape isnt any better than the Tribute, but big money marketing and that familiar blue-oval brand woos the buy-American crowd in a way that leaves the disenfranchised import just trying to get noticed. The fact is that import buyers are savvy enough to realize that the Tribute is little more than a domestic SUV with a Mazda grille, plus a few interior upgrades to give it a little upscale flare. What to do? Pull the plug, at least for now.
Unlike the Tribute, which will cease production in May, the Escape will continue to be built for the 2007 model year. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) />The move to halt production until an all-new version arrives makes sense, especially when factoring in the all-new CX-7 crossover is on the way for the 2007 model year, a vehicle that more succinctly fits into Mazdas slightly upscale, sport-oriented philosophy. Therefore, this years Tribute will be the last of the current generation, a hiatus that will result in an all-new Tribute arriving for 2008.

The new model, expected to ride on a variation of the Mazda3 architecture, which currently underpins Fords European (soon to be North American) Focus and Volvos fabulous S40 sedan and V50 wagon, will soon carry Volvos all-new compact luxury XC50 crossover, Land Rovers upcoming Freelander replacement, and, of course, an all-new Ford Escape/Mercury

With Tribute sales declining, its time to go. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

Mariner.
Unlike the Tribute, which will cease production in May, the Escape and Mariner twins will continue to be built for the 2007 model year; although in abbreviated numbers due to tooling preparations for the next-generation models (production starts in January). According to Ford, there wont be any layoffs at the Claycomo, Kansas plant to compensate for the loss of the Tribute, nor will production levels slow.

Ford produced 40,677 Tributes at the Claycomo plant in 2005, compared with 215,371 Escapes. The Dearborn-based automaker transferred production of the Mariner to Claycomo last fall, and during the final three months of 2005 Ford built 9,038 Mariners there.

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