Bangkok--8 Apr--Mazda Sales
Mazda Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd. has announced first quarter sales of almost 10,000 units, up 41 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Sales of the Mazda2 sedan and hatchback are still strong with 5,963 units in the first quarter while Mazda3 sales reached 1,218 units. The BT-50 sports pickup is coming back strongly with sales of 2,755 units, making it the Mazda model with the largest growth of 141 per cent. Mazda is also making sure existing customers are satisfied by offering free inspection programs along with discounts and free gifts. Meanwhile, the company and employees are also joining efforts with Mazda dealers, and have raised a fund of more than Bt 834,000 to be donated to tsunami and quake victims in Japan.
Mr. Choichi Yuki, Managing Director of Mazda Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd., said, “The quake and tsunami has caused tremendous damage to the Japanese people, and we have joined hands with dealers, including the employees at the head office as well as dealers, to raise Bt834,125.23. We are also swiftly planning to send aid for the flood victims in the south of Thailand by working closely with dealers within the area and to provide assistance to Mazda customers who are affected.”
Mr. Yuki added that the quake and tsunami in Northeast Japan had caused concern in terms of production and delivery schedules due to the large demand for Mazda vehicles. “There is huge demand in the market for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Introduction of new models such as the Eco Car and the all new Mazda3 2.0L has been accepted very well, and for the bookings placed at the recently-concluded Bangkok International Motor Show and from nationwide dealers, we will speed up deliveries before Songkran so that customers can get to use their new cars during this auspicious festival. We have been preparing and have made adjustments at the production line in order to minimize the effect. Initially we adjusted working times to suit the amount of vehiclesproduce each day and maintaining a stead flow of parts. Full production is expected to be back within three months,” he said.
Mr. Yuki said despite the slight effects felt by the Thai auto market, Mazda sales in the first quarter rose by 45 per cent with sales of 9,948 units. The Mazda2 sedan and hatchback models contributed 5,963 units, up 45 per cent, followed by the Mazda3 with 1,218 units, up 17 per cent. Sales of the BT-50 sports pickup truck during Q1 reached 2,755 units, up 141 per cent compared to the same period last year, while sales of the MX-5 sports roadster and CX-9 7-seat luxurious sports crossover were 7 and 5 units respectively. “Apart from the sales success, we are also determined to continuously strengthen the Mazda brand and develop our dealer network,” he said.
In March, Mazda also continued the third consecutive month of growth with sales of 3,630 units, rising by 42 per cent compared to the same month last year. Sales of the Mazda2 sedan and hatchback were 967 units and 1,183 units respectively, followed by the Mazda3 with 413 units (up 13 per cent), BT-50 with 1,059 units (up 148 per cent). Sales of the MX-5 and CX-9 were 5 units and 3 units respectively.
Sureethip La-Ongthong Chomthongdee, Marketing Director of Mazda Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd., said Mazda’s sales success in Thailand reflects the correct path it has taken towards target customers as well as products that clearly respond to customer requirements. “We also achieved our targets at the Bangkok International Motor Show and received 2,850 bookings. At the top of the list is the Mazda2 that is still going strong like our presenter "Nadech Kikumiya and Pae Arak" with 2,035 orders while the Mazda3 and all-new Mazda3 received 649 bookings. The BT-50 sports pickup was also able to attract 190 orders while the 5 orders were placed for the CX-9 7-seat luxurious sports crossover and 5 orders were placed for the MX-5 sports roadster,” she said.
Mazda Jan-March 2010 and 2011 sales
Model March 10 March 11 % Change Jan-Mar 10 Jan-Mar11 % Change
Mazda2 1,638 2,120 + 29% 4,122 5,963 + 45%
Mazda3 477 410 - 14% 1,498 1,218 -17%
Mazda BT-50 427 1,046 + 145% 1,145 2,755 + 141%
Mazda MX-5 5 5 No change 13 7 - 46%
Mazda CX-9 5 3 -40% 19 5 -73%
Total 2,552 3,584 +40% 6,797 9,948 +46%