New-gen Mazda3 tops small car sales
June 3, 2009 by George Skentzos
With official VFACTS sales for May released today, Mazda has wasted no time in pointing out that for the third time this year it has claimed the number one spot in the small car category with its Mazda3.
In total, 3038 Mazda3’s were sold for the month of May representing a mammoth 20.3 per cent market share in the sub $40,000 small car segment – bolstered by the first full sales month with the new generation model.
The public has certainly embraced the new-look Mazda3 with sales up 17.7 per cent on the same month last year, narrowing the gap to the country’s top-selling car.
Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson said: “New Generation Mazda3 is showing strong signs that it will continue the success of its perennially popular predecessor. We believe the secret to this success is offering the right product for the times.”
Overall, Mazda ranks as Australia’s fourth best-selling brand and remains as the favourite full-line import brand.
Since the beginning of 2009, Mazda has sold 30,197 new cars in Australia to hold an 8.6 per cent share in the new car market.
Print it: 
the golf would sell more if it didn’t freaking take 98 octane fuel. like wtf? it’s not even a racing car.
What happen to the corolla? did their front only power windows turn out to be not good enough?
Lancer ES,
No it corolla was beaten by front wheel spins of lancer ES :D
i’m starting to like this car, thought about the golf but it’s just really plain boring outside/inside, will test drive both next week
Mazda 3 is a nice car. It actually proven its worth that’s why many like this car.
I saw one of these driving down the road the other day, and by god it was horribloe. I couldnt believe it, that front grill/ mouth was just to big.
YANZO…..do you understand anything about the new VW Golf. Do some research buddy……….it uses a 1.4L supercharged and turbo charged engine……an engine that is force fed in this nature aint going to run on moonshine! I am not sure that an extra 10-15c a litre (say $5 a tank, and with the golf’s efficientcy you will get further on a tank then the Mazda 3 – check the fuel consumption figures) will talk someone out of buying a golf after they have driven it vs Mazda 3
On the MAZDA 3: Sounds like they are getting great support in the market. I personally cant get over the front styling – for me it is a dud, but obviously not for the general public who are buying it like hotcakes – power to them!
i’ve heard that the mazda 3 is the highest selling private car. does anyone know if this is true?
it would interesting to get sales figures without company and fleet sales.
Correction, Larry Says: June 4th, 2009 at 8:41 am
It could run on Moonshine (the alcohol fuel) unless you actually meant moonshine, but that would be plain silly to suggest.
God that smiling mouth grill is UGLY!
Yes agreed, the front grill is just unsightly. However I still like it way better than the previous version’s looks, I don’t mind the crazy styling overall – if only the smile wasn’t so big or there at all.
I think one of the main reasons people don’t want to go for a golf over this is the perceived quality issues and service costs, vw service overall…
Well done Mazda.
Yes Mitch the Mazda 3 in 2008 was Australia’s best selling private car in 2008. By the looks of thing I think it may just achieve this again this year.
Yanzo, the Golf would sell more if it didn’t cost as much as it does.
I’m not surprise the Mazda 3 is a top seller. Its affordable and has got the decent amount of safety equipment including ESP as standard. On par with the subaru impreza and honda civic.
Had the previous generation and test drove this new one, the size of the dash is a deal breaker for me. It seems as though my knees are hitting it all the time. Maybe it’s just me though…..
It’s as ugly as FKN sin, but there is no shortage of them on the road already. Great quality, dynamics, and value.
It’s ugly in a different way to the Imprezza. Where the Impreza looks 5 years old already, the 3 is quirky, and innovative.
^ Dr Nick Riviera,
Indeed the VW may be technically able to run on Moonshine – but due to the density difference compared to petrol (read: less power per litre), VW strongly recommended that I DONT use any fuel with alcohol, which would include Moonshine and all mass market hybrid fuels. I hope this clarifies this for you.
I merely meant Moonshine as a metaphor for cheaper petrol.
gearboxdawg,
do you mean on par with the Impreza in terms of safety, or as a whole package???
As a whole package the Impreza comes nowhere near the 3 in the last gen let alonde this version.
I found the Impreza the biggest disapointment when i toured the small car scene in search of a newbie
The last gen was still the class winner IMO
I have sold my 2006 Honda Civic and picking up my Maxx Sport tomorrow. OMG can’t wait! Prior to commit myself of buying Mazda 3, I visited VW dealer twice. I waited for half an hour like an idiot, they seems to be “very busy” with other customers. The next day, same thing. So i just crossed the road to Mazda dealer and bought Mazda 3. I have been to various dealers, VW is worse and rude.
I did the same with Suzuki dealers when they refused to treat me nicely, when I was considering the Swift, i bought Honda Civic.
Don’t like the new front but otherwise well deserved.
All those otherwise Corolla buyers have finally found their pulse.LOL.
Isn’t the Corolla an awful appliance!IMO lol.
If not for the tight rear seat and poor ingress/egress, this would be my car.
The big smile is to big and too “gummy” for me. Where are its teeth? If I could buy one with big white teeth, perhaps with braces, it might look more endearing.
They are the ones putting a giant face on the front of the car. Don’t laugh at me for suggesting it!
We will probably be buying cars with adjustable bumpers and lights in the future so we can give it an attitude for every occasion. (Ala BMW VA Concept, that thing was mega cool)
I bet a lot of it is from the run-out sales of the previous Mazda3 ;)
AAA Says: “I bet a lot of it is from the run-out sales of the previous Mazda3 ;)”
You would think that was the case AAA, however they nearly ran out of the previous model prior to the release of the new one. That is why we got the new version 2-3 months early. Even then, in the weeks/months leading up to the release of the new model, there were certain versions of the old car that were no longer available. This in effect meant that if anything, sales were actually hampered during the transition with a limited number of old models available to take advantage of “run out” sales numbers.
Like it or hate it, (personally i like it) its good to see a car with style on top of the small car sales charts, as opposed to that overated fleet appliance that used to be #1.
Im waiting for the MPS myself, that car looks awesome….goes well too from what ive read in Wheels.
I have had this car for a week and a bit now and i just love the way it drives, i am a big guy and the car looks small on the inside and someone would think i would not fit but as soon as you hop in its like it gets wider, its brilliant, I have the Maxx sport and the reason it has the big smile on the front is cause when you hop outa the car you have a big grin on your face. i could type forever on how great it is but i also test drove the Hyundai i30, the car was nice (SR) but the power it was like it was dragging a boat the size of a house when i put the foot down. Honda civic i waited at the dealer ship for 1hr until i got served and then they treated me like a bum off the street but still let me test drive one, i must say it was not bad car the looks where a bit gay for my liking but felt more powerful than the i30 even though the i30 is 2.0l and civic is a 1.8l it felt faster. poor thing is civic interior was lacking over the i30. Then went to Mazda and i had every sales rep trying to sell me the car and it was busy at the time. It felt homely almost (apart from been bloody cold)and as you see i got one.
Advice The Grin is there for three reasons Aerodynamics, more cold air intake into the radiator = cooler radiator and slight more power, third the big grin on your face matches.
AAA: I bet a lot of it is from the run-out sales of the previous Mazda3 ;)
I tried to buy one of the old model, but found none left in stock, ended up buying the new model (this was in April09). A blessing in disguise i must admit. The new interior n exterior blew me away :D Ordered one.. and had a 1 1/2 months wait :( Worth the wait, im now wearing a smile as big as the front grin everytime i drive the handsome beast around :)