Mazda Resurgence Continues With Strong August Sales
2 September 1998
Mazda Resurgence Continues With Strong August Sales; Overall Total is Highest Since March 1995IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1 -- Mazda's resurgence in the U.S. market continued today with the announcement of the company's highest monthly sales total since March 1995. Total sales reached 30,761 units in August, a 36.8 percent increase over last year, marking the second straight month of year-over-year sales gains. "Our sales performance in August is something that every Mazda employee and dealer can take pride in," said Richard Beattie, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "We believe that this achievement is a reflection of consumer interest in our new products, from the 626 midsize sedan and B-Series pickup truck to the all-new Miata roadster. Things should only get better as we add the all-new Protege compact sedan this fall and relaunch our flagship Millenia luxury sedan." Mazda's August sales were highlighted by especially strong showings by the new-for-1998 Mazda 626 midsize sedan, which tallied 10,871 sales in August, up 86.8 percent from last August and the award-winning Millenia luxury sedan, which totaled 3,941 sales for the month, an increase of 95.3 percent over the year earlier figure. Sales of the all-new Miata roadster surged 71.4 percent in August, reaching 2,515 units. Overall, Mazda's year-to-date sales total is up 7.7 percent over the 1997 year-to-date figure despite an overall softness in the U.S. automotive market. MAZDA SALES FOR AUGUST 1998 MONTH-TO-DATE YEAR-TO-DATE August 1998 August 1997 August 1998 August 1997 Total Vehicles CARS 25,182 17,498 148,772 137,129 TRUCKS 5,579 4,995 28,579 27,596 TOTAL 30,761 22,493 177,351 164,725 Imported Vehicles CARS 14,311 11,521 79,786 79,974 TRUCKS 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 14,311 11,521 79,786 79,974 U.S. Produced Vehicles CARS 10,871 5,977 68,986 57,155 TRUCKS 5,579 4,995 28,579 27,596 TOTAL 16,450 10,972 97,565 84,751 MONTH-TO-DATE YEAR-TO-DATE August 1998 August 1997 August 1998 August 1997 Imported Vehicles By Model: Passenger Cars 323 0 0 0 0 Protege 6,433 6,015 41,121 39,727 MX-3 0 0 0 7 626 0 0 0 0 MX-6 0 0 0 0 RX-7 0 0 2 11 929 0 0 0 7 Millenia 3,941 2,018 14,316 12,654 MPV 1,394 1,849 8,601 10,101 Miata 2,515 1,467 15,336 14,525 Trucks 4x2 0 0 0 0 4x4 0 0 0 0 MPV Van 0 0 0 0 U.S. Produced Vehicles By Model: Cars 626 10,843 5,805 68,576 54,213 MX-6 28 172 410 2,942 Trucks B-Series Total 5,579 4,995 28,579 27,596 4x2 4,527 4,618 22,476 24,384 4x4 1,052 377 6,103 3,208 Navajo 0 0 0 4