Mazda hikes revenue, unit sales

After posting a healthy increase in revenue during the first quarter of its fiscal year, Mazda Motor Corporation confirmed full-year targets predicting its third record year in a row. The Japan-based carmaker reported ¥806 billion (€6.01 billion) in revenue for the April-to-June period, up 14% year-on-year, with operating profits of ¥53.3 billion (€398 million)*.

Global sales volume also reflected the positive trend, growing during the quarter by 16% to 370,000 – a 15-year high – on the strength of new models like the Mazda CX-3, a small SUV that has seen strong initial demand following its launch in Japan, Australia and Germany. The new Mazda2, 2015 Mazda6 and 2015 Mazda CX-5 have also sold briskly, as has the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 in its first month on the market in Japan. Now available in North America, it will arrive in Europe in August. These and other SKYACTIV Technology-based models now represent 84% of Mazda’s global unit turnover.

Regionally, sales of Mazdas in Europe rose 11% to 49,000** in the three-month period on the strength of robust demand in places like the UK with a 20% hike. In Japan turnover increased by 44% for the three months, with China (+31%) posting a record first quarter and Australia (+17%) raising Mazda’s market share to 9.4%.

Mazda sees the quarter’s results as healthy progress toward achieving its full-year targets. The company expects to sell 1.49 million vehicles during the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2016, a 7% year-on-year increase. Its full-year forecast calling for a thirdconsecutive record operating profit of ¥210 billion (€1.62 billion) on revenue of ¥3.25 trillion (€25 billion) remains unchanged.

* Source: Mazda Motor Corporation’s “Consolidated Financial Results for the First Quarter of the Fiscal Year
ending March 31, 2016”. Euro figures were calculated at €1 = ¥134 for the quarter and €1 = ¥130 for the fullyear
forecasts