Mazda: fastest-growing brand in Europe

Registrations of Mazda passenger cars from January through September this year reached 159,884 units, more than 41,000 or 34.5 per cent over the same period last year, making Mazda the fastest-growing brand by volume in western Europe.

Growth momentum experienced throughout this year continued in November, with all Mazda national sales companies forecasting excellent results.

Mazda UK sales were up 33.1% over last November. Mazda Germany achieved a sales volume of 5,802 vehicles in Europe's largest market, 1.9% above November last year. Mazda Italy is forecasting an 80% rise in sales compared to the same month last year. Mazda Spain sales are expected to be up 61%, Mazda Austria up 45% and Mazda Portugal up 44% as well. Mazda Denmark is forecasting a 32% increase over November last year, Mazda France a 28% increase and Mazda Switzerland a 27% increase.

Mazda independent distributors continue to perform well, as they have all year. Sales for November in Greece for Mazda vehicles are predicted to be 125%, in Finland 98% and in Norway 28% above November last year. Year-to-date sales in the Czech Republic are up 44%, and in The Netherlands and Ireland up 22%, compared to the same period last year.

As a result, Mazda Motor Europe is forecasting 20,101 units sold in November, up 26% over last year, which will represent the best November in 11 years. Market share for November is projected to be 1.4 percent.

Individual models continue to do very well in the year-to-date. A total of 93,766 Mazda 6s were sold from January through November, while Mazda MPV sales are up 24.3% year-to-date. Over 24,000 Mazda 2s have been sold since the car was introduced to showrooms in February this year. The two newest members of the Mazda line up have had great starts as well in Europe. Over 6,000 Mazda 3s and over 2,000 units of Mazda's brand icon, the rotary engine RX-8, have been sold during their first two months in most European showrooms.

"It's a fantastic result to be the fastest-growing brand in western Europe during the first nine months of this year in terms of passenger car volume," said Mazda Motor Europe GmbH president and CEO Dan Morris.

"Very encouraging as well is the fact that over 6,000 Mazda 3s found owners in less than two complete months on the market and it won't be introduced to showrooms in the UK until January. The results for Mazda RX-8, Mazda 2 and MPV are equally impressive, so we could not be heading into the Christmas holidays in a better position."