If this comes to pass, it shouldn’t be a surprise in the least, but What Car? is reporting that the Alfa Romeo version of the roadster it is co-developing with Mazda will be more expensive than the MX-5 Miata upon which it is based. Alfa’s market perception alone would seem to encourage that scenario, but it sounds like intentionally avoiding competition is also be at play, as Mazda’s CEO has told the magazine that “the two cars were unlikely to be priced or positioned to compete against each other.” Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Next Mazda MX-5 Miata to get Mini-like levels of customization
Much is expected of the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, primarily significant weight savings and a bit more power. The new roadster will be co-developed with Alfa Romeo as part of a joint-venture agreed upon last May. A report in What Car? suggests that that Mazda’s benefits won’t be limited to the hard bits, claiming that personalization possibilities for the new car will be “similar” to those of the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500. The stated aim is for additional customization is “to help a customer’s relationship with the car,” but on a more basic level, they are popular within the segment. And depending on how Mazda structures pricing, they can fatten up the profit margin significantly. Funk Flex
