Mazda Australia becomes first full-line importer to top 10,000 sales | CarAdvice

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Mazda Australia becomes first full-line importer to top 10,000 sales

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By Tim Beissmann
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Segment-topping performances from three models and a hugely successful single-day promotion have helped Mazda become the first full-line importer in Australian automotive industry to sell more than 10,000 vehicles in a month.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries confirmed Mazda Australia sold 10,093 vehicles across the country in September, eclipsing its previous monthly record of 9345 set in April by 748 units.

The record month also saw Mazda rise to second on the overall sales charts for just the second time in its history (the first also coming in April), slotting in between market leader Toyota (17,300) and Holden (8955).

Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson said the brand’s most successful ‘M-Day’ sale ever helped push the Mazda3 small car to its highest ever sales result (4276 units), the CX-5 compact SUV (1809) to its second best month on record, and the Mazda2 (1801) to the top of the city car segment.

“We are, of course, extremely pleased to have sold over 10,000 cars in September,” Dickson said. “It was a fantastic result driven by another very successful M-Day … which was embraced by our customers all over Australia.

“What is even more pleasing though is that our range of cars continues to appeal to a wide and interested audience. On record sales pace, we are looking forward to the remaining three months of the year.”

After nine months of the year, Mazda has sold 77,862 vehicles across Australia, and is now just 10,471 sales short of last year’s calendar-year record.

Having averaged 8651 sales per month so far in 2012, Mazda now needs to average 7379 sales across October, November and December to break the significant milestone of 100,000 sales for the year.

Other strong September performers for Mazda included the Mazda6 (645), which finished second in the medium segment behind the locally produced Toyota Camry (2267), and the Mazda BT-50 (1124), which came sixth overall in the ute segment.

With sales up 18.1 per cent so far this year, Mazda’s growth is almost double that of the rest of the industry, which is up 9.4 per cent and on track for a record of its own.

Mazda looks set to finish third in the sales race this year. Toyota holds an unassailable lead with 159,111 sales, while Holden – despite its sales slipping 11.0 per cent so far in 2012 – appears safe in second with 85,345 sales. Trailing Mazda are Hyundai (68,460) and Ford (65,892), which look destined to fight it out for fourth spot.

  • Dave W

    Good. I hope Mazda will update their 3 sooner than later. I’m really itching for a new lighter, more agile and economical with manual transmission Skyactiv 3 MPS.

    • matt

      ill save a few bucks and get the (hopefully) manual 141kw sp25 :P

      • Zaccy16

        yeah that would be a great little car, because its a sportier model you would think they would offer a manual

      • Dave W

        Mate, if the SP25 is around 140kW, I’d be happy to buy that instead. Provided it’s available with manual transmission of course. I don’t really need all that power to be honest… BUT, is the fuel consumption is not much different to a new MPS with smaller turbocharged engine, I think I’ll get the MPS.

  • Huwtm

    Ok, a brief comment on the opposition, anyone else notice then i30 has swiped some of the Mazda 3 lines and design cues, and now the Corolla, has a Mazda 3 line to it. (Corolla dash is terrible, very retro) What do you think?

    • Zaccy16

      Yeah i think your right huwtm! hyundais are overly designed mazdas in some ways!

  • http://twitter.com/SamMoss8191 Sam Moss

    Well deserved in my opinion, Mazda are everything that Toyota should be.

    • Zaccy16

      yeah toyota need to take a leaf out of mazdas book to make their cars good to drive not just appliances (exception of the 86!)

      • Dave W

        Toyota needs a New Sportivo and a few more engine varieties to go with the trim level. Noone in their right mind would buy a $30k Levin with 100kW engine.

        • Daniel Teis

          I agree with the sentiment but Toyota does not need any more “Sportivo” vehicles.  In fact it needs to kill off the most awkward named sub-brand in the market.  Nothing yells “sad middle aged loser” more than the badge “Sportivo”.  Instead they should promote/rehire or create/clone the exact people who created the AE82, and ST162.  Essentially they were the mass market cars with similar verve to the AE86 – of which the reinterpreted version is such a smash hit.  The Corolla needs a boring version with a DI 1.8L 5-speed auto and also an exciting model with higher revving 2.0L direct-injection VVTi version with firm but subtle suspension, good steering feel and they all need EXCELLENT load area.   It seems that Toyota might not have invested enough in direct injection or modern transmissions for current models, I hope they have something coming in the near future.   Mazda however seem to have smacked the nail on the head – as long as the New 6 isn’t too big and therefore suffers the same fate as the Falcon, 380, Aurion and Commodore.

          • Golfschwein

            Sportivo is silly. Atara and Seca are also silly and superfluous. ‘Elegance’ makes me shudder, too, but you’ve little choice if you’re lining yourself up with a Merc or Skoda Superb with the works.

            I think a simple GT or GS would be better.

          • Huwtm

            Toyota has fallen into its old habits  chuck lots of accessories at an essentially standard car and stick a name plate on it, eg Sportivo. They are in essence option packs. Unlike where the name Seca and Sprinter came from where they are hard core cars. As for their naming policy in general, I can’t make head or tail of it. The 86 brings some hope that Toyota might have turned a corner, time will tell. 

  • Latin Fish Names

    Mazda can now afford to hire some good NVH engineers.

    • Kampfer

      THAT!!! This was the very reason I didn’t go for Mazda last two time I update my car. While I really like the new Mazda 6, from CarAdvice review NVH is not too good either. If I after mid-sizer I likely will wait for next Ford Mondeo. 1. Better NVH (I hope), 2. available in hatch.

  • http://www.ozmazdaclub.com/ Tien – OzMazdaClub.com

    Well Done Mazda!

  • Latin Fish Names

    Mazda sell on style and reliability, so all of us who baulked at a Corolla, I know it will be good for me but a bit like taking medicine end up with a 3.

  • Luke Brinsmead

    I don’t understand how Mazda can be so popular here while in many other countries their market share is far less.

    • Huwtm

      The Mazda 3 obviously suits the Australian public. it’s the Ford focus you have when you don’t want a Ford.

    • Daniel Teis

      I know what you mean but I think some points to consider might be comparative pricing within other markets (UK, Europe), market inertia and the awful Mazda 6 that is offered in the USA.   Their is greater inertia in other markets, plus home grown offerings (Australians seem to be aware that Holden and Ford do not offer true local alternatives), plus the comparative pricing, plus ugly Frankenstein Mazda 6 in the USA. I think Australia is ahead of the curve for the popularity of current Mazda models and we’ll see market share of Mazda grow internationally.   

  • F1orce

    Well deserved for Mazda.