Mazda's Global Sales Grow 14 Percent in Calendar Year 2003
JapanCorp: <http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> Mazda's Global Sales Grow 14 Percent in Calendar Year 2003 Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 29, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Supported by the successful launch of two critical new products - the Mazda RX-8 and Mazda3/Mazda Axela - and the continued success of many of its award-winning vehicles, Mazda Motor Corporation finished 2003 with key market sales of 1,068,400 vehicles, a 14.1 percent increase when compared to calendar year 2002. Mazda's combined market share in key global markets* also increased slightly in 2003 to reach 2.2 percent. "Overall sales continue to track in the right direction for Mazda," said Hisakazu Imaki, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation. "I am very pleased to see our award-winning products continue to have the desired effect in the marketplace: we're driving good customer traffic and achieving record sales in many countries. Even in the critical North American market, we're making progress. We have strategically reduced our less-profitable fleet business and increased retail sales. Looking at the current line of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom products, I can only expect further growth around the world in 2004." * Key global markets includes the following: Japan, the U.S., Canada, all Europe, China, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Puerto Rico. Europe Results in Europe in 2003 were exceptionally strong, up 25.8% to 229,113 units. Sales of the Mazda6 reached a record of 100,231 units. Additionally, Mazda's small-cars sales in Europe were up 83.3 percent year-on-year, aided mainly by Mazda2, which was launched in Europe during the early spring of 2003. Mazda MPV sales in Europe hit an all-time high last year, increasing 18.6 percent year-over-year, while MX-5 roadsters sales were 18,931 units, the fourth best year for MX-5 sales in the vehicle's 14-year history in Europe. In all, four European markets - the UK, Italy, Spain and Portugal - set all-time volume records during calendar year 2003. Japan Mazda continued to make gains in its competitive home market of Japan during 2003, with sales of 277,689 units increasing 5.6 percent compared to calendar year 2002. Mazda was also able to increase its market share by 0.3 percentage points during calendar year 2003, the first increase in market share in five years. Highlights of past year for the domestic market include the new RX-8 being named "RJC Car of the Year" in Japan and achieving calendar year sales of 14,627 units. Demio finished 2003 as the seventh-best selling car in Japan, its best finish in three years, and the all-new, award-winning Axela five-door sports and four-door sedan were successfully launched in October 2003. North America In the critical United States market, Mazda sales were up marginally at 258,865 units, compared to 258,217 in 2002. This sales total however represents a 22.4 percent decrease in overall fleet sales and a 3.6 percent increase in retail sales. "Our results in the States, while not as strong as we would like, are in line with our expectations," said Stephen Odell, Mazda's senior managing executive office in charge of global Marketing, Sales and Service. "We've taken the hard decision in the U.S. to reduce fleet sales and concentrate on retail sales. Our effort is to take the long-term view and grow Mazda's brand strength." Mazda6 sales in the U.S. in December 2003, at 8,778 units, were at their highest point since launch. In fact, during the second half of 2003, Mazda6 sales averaged 6680 units a month. Two new models of the Mazda6 - a five-door version and a sport wagon - will be launched in North America in the spring of 2004. Mazda sales in the U.S. will also benefit in 2004 from a full year of Mazda3 sales. The all-new Mazda3 arrived in U.S. showrooms in December of 2003. Sales in Canada were 65,550 units, 7.9 percent off in 2003. The drop in sales compared to 2002 is mostly reflective of the sell-down of the Mazda Proteg・in preparation for the launch of the Mazda3. Spurred on by the launch the new sports compact, December 2003 sales of Mazda products in Canada reached 4,479 units - Mazda's best-ever December sales total in Canada. Other Key Global Markets Other sales highlights for Mazda during calendar year 2003 include a record 53,217 sales in Australia. This number represents Mazda's best result in Australia since 1974 and an increase of 35.9 percent over calendar year 2002. Sales in Australia were led by strong performances by Mazda6 and Mazda2, as well as the new RX-8, which was named Wheels magazine "Car of the Year" earlier this month. In all, Mazda increased sales in its key Asia-Pacific markets by 80.9 percent during 2003, particularly China. In the rapidly expanding Chinese market, and through a close relationship with partner FAW, Mazda sales ended the year at 80,075 units, an increase of nearly 250 percent over 2002. Mazda also posted strong results in Thailand (up 26.1 percent), New Zealand (up 28.8 percent) and Singapore (up 49.9 percent.). As the result, sales in key Asia-Pacific markets now account for over 16 percent of the company's total global sales in key markets. About Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda Motor Corporation was established in 1920 and is one of Japan's leading automobile manufacturers. With its headquarters in Hiroshima, Mazda has two plants in Japan and manufacturing and assembly operations in sixteen other countries. Mazda cars and trucks are sold in more than one hundred and thirty countries. Ford Motor and Mazda agreed to collaborate in 1979, Ford Motor Company started investing in Mazda and increased its shareholding to 33.39% as of March 31, 1999. For further information, please visit the Mazda Motor Corporation home page at: www.mazda.com/flash.html <http://www.mazda.com/flash.html>