Leverkusen, 14th February 2006.
Momentum continued in January at Mazda Motor Europe with sales up by 10 percent versus January 2004. Volume of 25,000* units and a projected European market share of 1.7 percent represent the best results in 15 years.
All markets contributed to these outstanding results with three markets setting all-time monthly records in January. In the UK, Mazda sold over 4,300 vehicles, increasing sales by 12 percent. This resulted in a record single month for both industry share, projected to be 2.1 percent, and for passenger car share, estimated to be 2.7 percent. Italy set a single month record for volume, at over 2,500 units, while increasing sales by 4 percent versus January 2004. Spain sold more than 1,300 vehicles last month, increasing sales by 34 percent vs. January 2005, which translates into a single month record for industry share, estimated to be 1.0 percent.
Two markets set January sales records. In Germany, Mazda sold more than 6,000 vehicles last month. This represents an increase of 24 percent year-on-year and a record January market share projected at 2.7 percent. Russia set January records for volume, at 1,600 units, and for projected market share, at 5.7 percent, while increasing sales by 60 percent year-on-year.
Austria (incl. South Eastern European countries) recorded an excellent January as well, with sales up 15 percent and a volume of 1,600 units, its best volume in 14 years. In France, Mazda sold more than 1,100 vehicles, its best volume result since 1992, while increasing sales by 6 percent versus January 2004.
Mazda’s Scandinavian organisation had another outstanding month, selling nearly 1,000 vehicles in the region in January, up 23 percent. They were lead by Denmark, which increased sales by 41 percent year-on-year with a volume of 490 vehicles and Sweden, where sales rose by 31 percent with a volume of 270 units for the month. Switzerland also had an outstanding month, with a volume of almost 680 vehicles, up 27 percent, and in Finland (incl. Baltics) sales rose by 26 percent, with a volume of 840 units.
Mazda3 was the best-selling vehicle for Mazda Motor Europe in January, with a volume of almost 7,500 units, up 12 percent versus January 2004. Mazda3 captured an estimated segment share of 2.8 percent. Mazda MX-5 sales were high as well, with a volume of close to 1,300 units, an increase of 105 percent year-on-year. Mazda MX-5 and Mazda RX-8 combined for a predicted share of the sports non-premium segment of 23 percent. Mazda5 continues to gain in popularity among European customers. Sales volume nearly doubled in January versus the previous month, with a total volume of 4,200 units and a projected segment share of 4.2 percent. The new facelifted Mazda6 was the second highest seller by volume in January, with 7,200 units finding owners.