Mazda sales zoom ahead

Mazda has enjoyed sales of more than 7,000 vehicles for the fourth consecutive month, while 10-month sales have grown by a huge 69 per cent. 

Mazda Sales (Thailland) managing director Choichi Yuki said the company sold 59,372 vehicles from January to October this year, up dramatically from the 35,131 vehicles sold during the same period last year. 

“Sales were higher than previously projected. Mazda also enjoyed exceptional popularity in October this year than in previous years, and total sales have exceeded 7,000 units for the fourth straight month,” he said. 

In October, Mazda sold 7,202 vehicles – 3,616 of the Mazda2 (up 58 per cent), 3,115 BT-50 PRO pickups (up 306 per cent), 470 of the Mazda 3 (up 106 per cent) and one premium model. 

The end of the year marks the deadline of the government’s First Car Buyer Programme. 

“This is really the last chance for buyers and sellers. There is no more time to decide, and hesitating could cause you to lose a valuable opportunity,” said marketing director Sureetip La-Ongthong Chomthongdee. 

“After the mega flood crisis last year, the auto industry has enjoyed tremendous demand from consumers, but has been unable to respond effectively. The First Car Buyer Programme also dramatically raised demand for automobiles in Thailand , resulting in each brand facing long back orders. Mazda has also received a large number of orders, but we have been adjusting our strategy in terms of production and export, allowing us to efficiently manage our order/delivery period,” Sureetip said. 

On top of the First Car Buyer rebate, Mazda is also stimulating sales with campaigns including low down payment and interest rates, long installment plans and free insurance. 

It has, besides, recently launched a limited-edition Mazda2 in both sedan and hatchback versions. 

A total of 1,000 are available and the cars are ready for delivery. 

Mazda has been highly successful with the introduction of the original Mazda2 “Racing Series” late last year. A total of 600 were offered, and they were all booked within just a day of the official launch, followed by requests for more. 

“However, in order to maintain the ‘limited edition’ status and the pride of its owners, we hesitated in extending production of the original Racing Series. So this year we are serving those with a sporty heart by introducing an even sportier Limited Edition for both Mazda2 models, and increasing the number to 1,000 units,” Yuki revealed. 

The Mazda2 Racing Series 2012 comes with genuine Mazda accessories from the factory, such as a new sports front skirt and front grille, a new rear skirt with diffuser, a “Sport Black” roof glossy sticker with compact antenna, a roof spoiler for the hatchback version, serious-looking 16-inch alloy wheels in “Gun Metallic” finish with low-profile tyres, a sports chrome exhaust muffler, a “Racing Series” decal and special sports graphics with a “Signature” logo for each model. There is also a new 2-DIN FM/AM CD/MP3 player with remote control and steering wheel-mounted controls. 

The sedan is priced at Bt671,000 while the hatchback costs Bt684,000.