Mazda Loses 4,700 Autos in Freighter Accident

Mazda is Japan's fourth largest automaker.

The company is being forced to scrap 4,700 cars and SUVs that were damaged when a freighter carrying them to North America was caught in rough seas.

Many of the cars looked to be salvageable. But Mazda took the position that they could not guaranteed their performance down the road.

A Mazda spokesman said "It's less about the money than customer satisfaction."

That is easy for Mazda to say since the freight company is going to cover the costs (abt $100 million in damages). The other option would be for Mazda to have to work to sell the vehicles.

The freighter, Cougar Ace, listed 90 degrees to port (left) side. That is, laying over flat on its side before returning to a 60 degree angle.

Mazda's bigger problem was not being able to deliver cars to customers. Sure, Mazda will get its money. But, they would much rather get it from a customer who would buy another car later on, than from an insurance company who will do nothing of the sort.

What do you think?