MAZDA is to phase out the executive Xedos 6 and fill the gap it leaves in the range with changes to the 'similar' 626. Poor sales last year, particularly in the retail sector are to blame for the demise as well as the fact Mazda believes the model is getting long in the tooth.

A Mazda spokesman said: 'We don't have an end-date for the '6', but it has undergone its last revision. Each car has a life cycle and its coming to the end of that.' On its launch 1994 Mazda sold 1,400 of the Xedos 6. In 1998 the figure had dropped to 800. Consistently throughout its life around 50% went into fleets.

The '6's demise, Mazda believes, will not leave a large gap in the range. The Xedos 9 has a definite future, particularly following its revision last October and it is likely that the four-door 626 will be offered in a higher spec, to include features like leather interior.