Mazda posts 53% sales hike in first quarter

MANILA, Philippines - Mazda Philippines reported a 53-percent increase in first quarter sales due to the strong demand for their cross over sports utility vehicles (SUV).

In a statement, Mazda said they were able to sell 844 units for the first three months of the year, 53 percent better than the same period in 2010.

“We are absolutely delighted to close the first quarter of the year on such a high note, and we thank all our customers, employees and dealers on this achievement,” said Mazda Philippines president Randy Krieger.

Mazda attributed its sales figures to the Mazda2 sub compact, continued strength of the Mazda3, and the strong demand for their crossover SUVs — the Mazda CX-7 and the Mazda CX-9.

The Mazda2 sub-compact saw first-quarter sales of 241 units, while the Mazda3 remains to be the brand’s best-selling nameplate since its 2004 introduction with 294 units.

The Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 remain to be popular crossover SUVs choices with 200 and 73 units sold respectively — versus 53 units and 9 units in the first quarter prior year.

For March, Mazda Philippines sold 341 units, a 36 percent increase year-over-year.

“To further strengthen our Mazda brand presence across the country and maintain our momentum, we will be opening two new dealerships in key locations over the next 2 months — Mazda Cagayan de Oro and Mazda Dagupan,” Krieger said.