Mazda sales surge
Mazda Motor Corporation is firmly on the road to another record year after posting sales revenue of 1.45 trillion yen (Bt430 billion) between April and September, up 16 per cent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Mazda’s new-generation models continue to sell well across the globe, led by the all-new Mazda3. Featuring Mazda’s Skyactiv technology and stunning Kodo designs, these cars are fuelling the company’s success around the globe. More are on the way, too. Initial orders for the all-new Mazda2, the newly crowned Car of the Year Japan, have been strong after its recent domestic market launch, and it will soon arrive in Europe and elsewhere, including Thailand, early next year.
The production ceremony of the new Mazda2 was held at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong yesterday. Mazda is investing Bt12.6 billion in a new assembly plant and engine plant here for production of the new model, which will be for both the domestic and export markets including the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the Asean region.
Thailand is one of three countries in the world that produces Mazda’s “New Small Car” models, with the other two being Japan and Mexico.
Other new models are slated to follow in 2015, including the all-new Mazda CX-3, a small SUV, and upgraded versions of the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5.
Operating profit came in at 104 billion yen, a 41 per cent gain, and net income was 93.3 billion yen, up 68.3 billion yen or almost quadruple the year-ago figure. This comes on the back of Mazda’s best results in its 94-year history for the fiscal year that ended in March 2014.
Vehicle sales grew as well by 6 per cent globally to 669,000. European sales grew by 21 per cent to 90,000 vehicles. North America and China also achieved strong growth of 14 and 19 per cent, respectively.
The company expects to sell 1.42 million vehicles during the 12 months to the end of March 2015, a 7 per cent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, the full-year operating profit forecast remains unchanged at 210 billion yen. Mazda recorded a 182-billion yen operating profit last year, bettering the previous record of 160 billion yen set in 2007-08.
