Mazda to Lower Price on Millenia Sedans

Mazda North American Operations will announce Friday that it is slashing as much as $5,550 from the price of its flagship Millenia models. The Irvine-based importer said it has repriced the 1999 Millenia to make it more competitive in its increasingly price-sensitive near-luxury sedan niche. Under the new pricing, the top-of-the-line Millenia S will come down 15.2% to $31,045, while the base Millenia will be priced at $26,545, or 8.4% less than the 1998 model. The Millenia competes against the Mitsubishi Diamante, the Infiniti I30 and the Lexus ES 300, cars typically priced from $27,000 to $33,000. Mazda is expected to announce price cuts on several other 1999 models in coming months.