Update of CX-7s on capsized Couger Ace ship

dracore

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Mazda puts customers first! (thumb)

Link to the article is here:

http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/164044


Mazda to scrap cars on capsized ship


December 23, 2006

DETROITMazda Motor Co. says it will scrap the 4,700 cars on a ship that severely listed on its side south of Alaska's Aleutian Islands last summer.

The Cougar Ace was transferring ballast in the Pacific Ocean on July 23 when it listed 60 degrees onto its port side. The ship was hauling the cars from Japan to three ports on the West Coast of the U.S. and Canada.

In September, Mazda said it didn't know how many of the vehicles were damaged, but said they would be sold as used cars with full new-car warranties. And the fact that they were aboard the listing ship was to be disclosed.

But following testing by its engineers, Mazda changed its mind.

"We decided the most appropriate course of action with our customers foremost in mind was not to sell any of the 4,703 Mazdas aboard the ship," Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, said in a statement.

The ship, which travelled under the Singapore flag, was towed into Portland, Ore., in September for repair.

The ship's owner, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines of Tokyo, had said there were 4,812 cars aboard. About 100 were not Mazdas, but the shipping company's agreement with the manufacturer prevented the owner from disclosing the manufacturer.

Most of the cars aboard were Mazda3 compact cars and CX-7 SUVs, but there were a small number of RX-8 and MX-5 Miata sports cars on the ship. The cars were strapped onto the ship's 14 decks using a special system in their bumpers.

It took more than a month to right the ship, which keeled over so far onto its side that its propeller was out of the water.
 
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I wonder if they had sold them as used cars, how much of a discount they would have given.
 
offset_98 said:
I'd still like to know the extent of the damage to them....they couldn't have all been bad.

well the cars were tied down by their frame and suspension and were held at a steep angle for a long period of time....if there are noticable damages now could you imagine further down the road when things start to rust or break because of this? Its best not to sell any of these IMO...read the other thread for the discussion though because I dont feel like saying it all over again. thanks:)
 
clicknext said:
I wonder if they had sold them as used cars, how much of a discount they would have given.

exactly why they didnt sell them, they would lose money and end up in lawsuits...as long as the shipping was insured they get all the money back for scraping them.
 
jeg0024 said:
well the cars were tied down by their frame and suspension and were held at a steep angle for a long period of time....if there are noticable damages now could you imagine further down the road when things start to rust or break because of this? Its best not to sell any of these IMO...read the other thread for the discussion though because I dont feel like saying it all over again. thanks:)
Yeah, I agree that trying to salvage them could only result in a lot of trouble.
 
Sorry, but working in the maritime industry I can't help myself. The ship did not capsize, it was listing severely. Capsizing is what you get when it is completely upside down (think POSEIDON).

As has been said, the possibility of unseen damage to the vehicles coming back to haunt Mazda was too great. Cargoes are insured so they aren't out any money, and are saving themselves a large headache. Much as we would all like to get a great deal on a salvaged car, it won't happen here.
 
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jeg0024 said:
exactly why they didnt sell them, they would lose money and end up in lawsuits...as long as the shipping was insured they get all the money back for scraping them.

BINGO!

They probably needed to get a comprehensive report & analysis, for a final determination from the insurance company. Once the insurer was satisfied on the extent of the loss, they would have no choice but to "total" them all if they wanted the check.

Kudos to the insurer too, for a correct read of the tea leaves...
 
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