Mazda bucks trend with soaring sales

Mazda UK sales soared by 27.14% in the first half of the year to 19,887 units, almost three times as fast as the industry average growth of 10.6%.

This is Mazda’s best half-year performance since the end of the ‘scrappage’ scheme more than four years ago.

Mazda sales in June were up 8.96% over 2013 levels at 2,700 units for a 1.18% share of the UK’s new car market.

Overall UK car sales continue their strong recovery, reaching almost 1.3 million units so far this year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Peter Allibon, Sales Drector at Mazda UK, said: “The sales surge was spearheaded by Mazda’s all-new sixth generation products of Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5.”

The newly-launched Mazda3 recorded year-on-year growth of 56% to hit 4,590 units.

Mazda6, now well into its second year of UK sales after its launch in January 2013, was also a strong performer, with sales up 53% to 4,439 units.

Sales of the award-winning Mazda CX-5 were up 70% at 4,013 units as global production increased while the evergreen Mazda2 continues to attract buyers with sales of 4,959 units.

Mr Allibon added: “We now have four really significant volume cars which is great news for our dealers and helps build awareness of the brand – we’re back in the game as a manufacturer.”

Even better news for dealers is the fact that Mazda continues to have a very strong retail base – retail sales in the first half grew 19% while business sales were up 47%.

Mr Allibon said: “We are still predominantly a retail brand and this first-half performance puts us and our dealers in a really strong position, as we head towards the key September market.

“Almost four out of five Mazda3 buyers (77%) are private customers while two out of every five Mazda6 owners (43%) are also retail buyers in a sector dominated by Fleet sales.”