Mazda Australia’s leading full-line importer in January

By Tim Beissmann | February 04th, 2010

On the back of a record-breaking December, Mazda Australia has started 2010 with its second-best January in history after 6658 sales and an overall market share of 8.9 percent.

An increase of 1.9 percent over 2009 was short of the industry-wide gain of 11.6 percent, but still ensured Mazda maintained its position as Australia’s leading full-line importer and 4^th overall.

Almost half of those sales were clocked up by the Mazda3. Its 3.2 percent increase to 3223 units made it Australia’s best selling small car and second overall (just 18 shy of the Holden Commodore).

The CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs had an impressive month, cumulatively accounting for 986 sales and increasing year-on-year 99 percent and 29 percent respectively.

The Mazda2 and Mazda6 were the only somewhat disappointing performers, both losing more than 15 percent compared to January 2009.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, said the solid start was welcome news after some uncertainty heading into 2010.

“Given our strong end to 2009 and the withdrawal of the Government’s investment allowance, it was always going to be interesting to see how the market would respond in the new year,” said.

“The signs for Mazda throughout January have been extremely encouraging. Of course, we’re very pleased to see another solid performance from our perennially popular Mazda3, but it’s equally satisfying to see that the entire Mazda range is continuing to hit the sweet spot with Australian new car buyers,” he said.

ZoomZoom

Well done Mazda. Just 18 sales short of being Australia’s best selling car. Its funny how so many people thought Mazda 3 sales would drop with the new model.
Nick

I great result for Mazda but the smaller than the average rise may be a small concern.
http://ozmpsclub OzMPSClub

Well done Mazda and to the 3 that everyone knocked and said it wouldn’t sell cause of the smiley face…..also to see that the SUV’s have a good month but more discounts and some promotional push for the 2 & 6 is needed….
Mike

I still can not believe this hideous looking car sold that many. They look even worse on the road. I don’t know which is the ugliest the Corolla or Mazda 3. At least the Cruze looks okay. Once Holden start building the hatch version I think they will take the fight up to Mazda.

RallyWhiz

Agree with Mike. One of the ugliest looking cars on the roads. Mazda is following Peugeot’s footsteps.
AAA

The Mazda3 is uglier than the Corolla. The Corolla sedan is going to have a mid life face lift in 1-2 more months.

Callous Aussie

Truth is that Mazda 3 has deserved to outsell the Corolla for quite some time. It is a superior car in so many ways. It just shows we are often slow to catch on .

Nankano

I just checked out the Mazda3[Neo], but found it failed on many fronts v’s say a Lancer.

1.Poor leg room in the back
2.Even with the above, the front seat does not go back far enough
3.Only 2 airbags as std. [Always refering about the Neo]
4.10,000km/6month service intervals
5.Expensive to service [not fixed or capped]
6.Only 3 year/1000,000km warranty
7.No 24×7 roadside assist
8.Front looks alarming, “fish mouth”, just yuk, rest is ok.
9.Overpriced, but actually been coming down which is good.
10.Noise, not the quietest in the pack.

Few others cannot remember right now.

Frankly i dont know what all the hype is about, have these armchair experts been in it or driven it and compared?

The Lancer is a miles better buy, much more for your buck

Cheers

The Real Car Fanatic

Poor leg room in the back? Really? cause if you check the specs the Lancer has 917mm of leg room and the Mazda has 919mm. I’d say that difference is negligable. Seat width is a bit different, Lancer has 1374mm and Mazda has 1326 mm, maybe if you lost a few kilos the Mazda wouldn’t feel so tight.
ZoomZoom

Mazda offers 3 year/unlimited kilometre warranty…

Shak

speak for yourself. I for one hate the fact that the tyres make so much noise and that my car is always smiling at me. I have driven one for a week, and i did like the engine and the ‘box but the road noise is unacceptable in a car of this popularity.

Myke

Have you been driving on rocks??

The tire noise isn’t that bad, plus it’s one of very few compromises for driving one of the best cars in that class.

Shak

Thats what im saying. The best car in class, the Golf doesnt have these supposed compromises. As i said, I dont like it, maybe you can live with it, but if i buy it for day to day, which is what a hatchback small car is for, i would want it to be quiet comfortable and safe. The 3 meets two of those criterion.

Myke

Yes the Golf has fewer compromises because its a higher pricetag, you couldn’t get into a new Golf with less than $25k.
MazMagic

I thought the Golf reliability is compromised! More major than just tyre noise and a smilely face! And I drive a previous Gen Mazda3 and it is quite quiet (just drive it on the highway).

It amazes me how may ‘fans’ recommend the Golf but forget that VWs fall apart after the warranty expires. ‘Made in Germany’ doesn’t necessarily equal ‘The Best’! Maybe with your S-Classes, A8, 7 Series, AMG,M(3..) etc.., but not the Golf (the awards don’t take reliability into consideration).

I probably will get ‘thumbs down’, but a fact is a fact.

Callous Aussie

….and it wouldn’t have occured to you to change your tread. Pretty much all Japanese cars enter Australia with what could be termed “acceptable tyres” to keep the entry point down.

My Nissan Navara had Bridgestones on it that were gone in 15,000 k’s.

AAA

I wouldn’t buy the Mazda3 coz:

- It uses a timing belt. That’s an extra $500 in servicing cost at 80,000-100,000kms. The Mazda3 SP25 and the Mazda6 use timing chains. The Lancer, Focus, Civic, Tiida and Corolla all use timing chains.

- It’s relatively noisy.

- And most of all it’s got a fugly grin.
Eric

Who Missled you with that informaion???? Mazad 3 has had timming belts forever