Mazda upheld its strong momentum in Europe through the first quarter of 2016 as sales of its distinctly innovative models rose by 28.5% year-on-year to 68,797 units.
This was the Japanese carmaker's 14th consecutive quarter of gains and the tenth double-digit increase in the past 12 quarters. In doing so, Mazda outperformed a robust European market (which grew by 8.1%) and hiked its market share to 1.7%, up 13% over the first quarter of 2015.
This was the Japanese carmaker's 14th consecutive quarter of gains and the tenth double-digit increase in the past 12 quarters. In doing so, Mazda outperformed a robust European market (which grew by 8.1%) and hiked its market share to 1.7%, up 13% over the first quarter of 2015.
Fuelling the surge were models like the enormously popular CX-3, a B-SUV that first went on sale last June, and the new Mazda2 supermini, whose turnover soared by 75% during the quarter. Sales of the all-new MX-5 recently crowned 2016 World Car of the Year and 2016 World Car Design of the Year, meanwhile, almost quadrupled (up 282%). The country that inspired Mazda’s brand icon - the UK - remains its number one market, too, representing one-third of MX-5 sales in Europe last quarter.
Technology and design remain the fundamentals behind Mazda’s success. Since the 2012 market introduction in Europe of SkyActiv technology, a unique range of drivetrains, platforms and car bodies developed in-house at Mazda, the carmaker has nearly doubled its vehicle turnover.
Mazda sold more than 227,000 vehicles in Europe over the past 12 months to the end of March, an increase of 28% over the previous fiscal year.
