Mazda's Big UK Birthday Bash

DARTFORD, Englamd - August 7, 2006: Car sales are mushrooming like magic for Dartford-based Mazda UK as it celebrated its fifth anniversary at the weekend. So far this year, sales are up 10 per cent and heading for a record 50,000 units for 2006. Sales in the overall UK car market are down by four per cent so Mazda is bucking the trend.

Mazda celebrated its fifth birthday on 5 August with a barbecue party for all its staff and families. It is also planning a weekend with partners for its dealer network in March 2007.

When Mazda UK started importing Mazda cars in August 2001, its predecessor MCL had sold less than 7,000 units that year. Improvements were seen immediately and, by the end of the year, sales had hit 15,800.

Rob Lindley, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mazda Motor Corporation, says that reaching 50,000 sales will be an emotional milestone for staff and dealers as well as a landmark in sales.

"We had 55 people who had been working for the previous importer MCL in August 2001; we now have 98 staff. Of course over five years we have seen some people come and go but for all of us, staff and dealers, achieving 50,000 will be really special.

"There will be other great milestones in the future of course but I doubt any will be quite as special as this one, and as a mature company we will probably not see growth in the next five years as we have enjoyed since 2001."

Jeremy Thomson, Sales Director, praised the dealer network, which is now reaping the rewards of hard work.

"We believe we are in the top quartile for dealer profitability," says Jeremy.

Both Rob and Jeremy agree the pace and intensity of change has been Mazda’s biggest challenge over the last five years.

Jeremy says Mazda is enjoying a product-led recovery that is consistently giving it over 2 per cent share of the market, up from 0.5 per cent five years ago.

As the pace of change shows no immediate signs of slowing down, and new products continue to be added to the range, the company plans to recruit more dealers – increasing its number from 155 to 168 by the end of the year.

Next year, Mazda’s recovery should take another big step with the new CX-7 crossover SUV going on sale in July and the Mazda2 replacement making its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

No rest for Rob, Jeremy and the Mazda team then, but refreshed from a terrific fifth birthday celebration they, and the dealers, are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.