Strong Residual Values Set to Make All-New Mazda3 First Choice for Cost-Conscious Fleet Operators

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – June 24, 2009: Businesses taking delivery of the all-new Mazda3, which has just gone on sale, will be making the value-for-money choice with strong used car prices predicted putting the car into premium badge territory when compared with key rivals. Amid the economic gloom, cost management is top of the fleet agenda and company car decision makers can save money by ensuring the new Mazda3 wins a place on vehicle choice lists as depreciation rates in cash terms are class-topping.

An independent survey conducted on behalf of Mazda of data supplied by 30 of Britain’s leading contract hire and leasing companies gives models in the Mazda3 range a residual value at three years/60,000 miles of as high as 35 percent for the entry-level 1.6D TS 5dr (£15,760 on-the-road) and 2.2D 150ps Sport 5dr (£18,440) with the predicted range best-seller, the 1.6D TS2 (£16,960) just behind on 34 percent.

That puts the Mazda3 range ahead of numerous key competitors including the Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Toyota Auris and Vauxhall Astra and close to or on a par with the likes of the premium‑badged Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf. While average residual values across the 30 contract hire and leasing companies are slightly lower – 33.4 percent for the 2.2D 150ps Sport, 32.6 percent for the 1.6D TS and 32.3 percent for the 1.6D TS2 – the all-new Mazda3 comfortably outperforms key competitors, according to the data.

Turning to petrol-engined models, the RV performance of the Mazda3 is predicted to be equally as good by the UK’s leading contract hire and leasing companies. For example, the average three‑year/60,000-mile residual value for the entry-level 1.6 S 5dr (£13,500) is 31.9 percent with the 1.6 TS2 5dr (£15,500) at 31.8 percent, the 2.0 TS2 auto 5dr (£17,460) at 31 percent and the forthcoming 2.0 i-stop 150ps Sport 5dr (£18,025) at 30.6 percent.

Crucially in ‘pound note’ terms the competitively priced Mazda3 significantly outperforms the competition in retaining more of its value. For example, the expected best-selling 1.6D TS2 will depreciate less than the more expensive BMW 116d ES. Meanwhile, the entry-level 1.6 S 5dr beats the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI S 5dr in the depreciation stakes.

Jeff Knight, forecast manager at residual value experts CAP Monitor, said: “The Mazda3, with its improved diesel offering and increased petrol efficiency brings Mazda – perhaps for the first time in this sector – firmly onto the fleet radar. With a stronger European element to its design cues this should increase its appeal to British buyers. The overall improvements to internal refinement will also be warmly welcomed by UK customers.”

Available in four-door and five-door guise, the new 20-strong Mazda3 range will be joined at the end of the month by the fuel-stretching i-stop (Smart Idling Stop System) on the 2.0 Sport, which can deliver fuel consumption savings of up to 16 percent on the combined cycle.

The Mazda3 is being viewed as bringing to the lower medium sector all the attributes of the Mazda6, which has firmly established itself as a multi-award-winning fleet favourite in recent years.

Mazda fleet and remarketing director Peter Allibon said: “Mazda3 represents a fantastic cost‑effective alternative to the perceived mainstream models in the lower medium sector. With fresh styling, great vehicle dynamics, low CO2 emissions, excellent fuel economy and now first-class residual values from the UK’s top leasing companies we expect the all-new Mazda3 to secure its own niche on the fleet map alongside the ever popular Mazda6.”

With CO2 emission levels below the critical capital allowance benchmark of 160g/km for all models with the exception of the 2.0-litre automatic, the new Mazda3 range makes tax sense for businesses as well as company car drivers.

Standard specification on the Mazda3 range includes: Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, six airbags, remote central locking, manual air-conditioning, welcome mode lighting and an MP3 compatible audio system with four speakers.