Opinions & Editorials
Mazda and SEMA
By By: Chris Stutters
Nov 4, 2004, 06:29

Well, it's that time of year again and SEMA is upon us. Each year the show has grown, showcasing more and more product as the aftermarket has grown to reach out to the new hot rodders - the sport compact crowd.

This is good for the Mazda fans out there as it has meant more and more options are finally reaching beyond the fading RX-7. The Miata side of things has slown some too since the M2 is on its final leg. Yeah, Flyin' Miata and a few others are out that still making cool things, but some of them are getting ready for the new Miata.

However, thanks to Mazdaspeed showing up to showcase a few choice cars over the past few years, it has lead to a growing market for the now discontinued Protege and lesser-loved 626. Both cars have been left out in their spasture waiting for their days in the sun. Since the introduction of the Mazdaspeed Protege, there are more power options that haven't been possible in the past. There are more body kits and things like that, but all show and no go is not why I like SEMA.

I think this is a great trend for these cars from Mazda which haven't had much aftermarket support up until recently. And this trend looks to have some staying power as newer cars are released.

With that, this year promises to be an even bigger show, and the aftermarket has taken a look at the other cars in the Mazda line up. The parts manufacturers have really taken a liking to the Mazda3. Even though the magazines have said it doesn't handle as well as the Protege, it has managed to catch the eye of a few people.

The Mazda6 has also caught the eye of the aftermarket in both the four-cylinder and V6 versions. Plus, now with an SWC win under its belt thanks to the Tri-point Team, suspension gurus know the chassis is as capable as the power plant.

Look for some cool things for both the Mazda3 and Mazda6. There are a few companies out there that have been working on turbo kits for both cars with the 2.3-liter MZR motor, and they should be up at SEMA.

On the factory side, Mazdaspeed has built its reputation on showing the next cool car coming up in the product line. With two years under its belt showing first the Mazdaspeed Protege and then the Mazdaspeed Miata, they have really made SEMA their showcase.

This year the rumor is the Mazdaspeed6 will be on hand. The MPS6 (Mazda Performance Series) has already been introduced in France, and we all know MPS is just another name in the US for Mazdaspeed.

Also rumored is the Mazdaspeed RX-8. There have been a couple of stories about the supercharged-rotary car hanging around Mazda Headquarters in California. So the question is, will it debut at SEMA?

Also look for some of the parts to be on display as Mazdaspeed has stepped up (sort of) by offering a few of the choice parts form their cars for sale in the parts departments of Mazdaspeed dealerships.

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