Q3: Mazda heads for record year as Europe leads growth
Hiroshima / Leverkusen, 05/02/2015
• Net income, operating profit up by 70% and 22% for first nine months of fiscal year
The growth trend at Mazda Motor Corporation remains intact following the third quarter, as the carmaker continues to improve on last year’s record-setting performance. Mazda increased net income by 70% year-on-year to ¥131.5 billion (€939 million) between April and December 2014. Operating profit rose by 22% to ¥152 billion (€1.09 billion) during the same period, while revenue also grew to ¥2.19 trillion (€15.7 billion), up 13%*.
Global vehicle sales were up 5% year-on-year to 1,003,000 units during the first nine months, led by a 16% hike to 125,000 in Europe**, where Mazda significantly outperformed the overall market, as well as strong sales in North America (+11% to 320,000) and China (+10% to 156,000). Mazda expects to reach the 1.4-million mark worldwide for the full fiscal year ending on 31 March.
The company’s new-generation models fuelled the growth in Europe and elsewhere, with models like the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda3 leading the way. The line-up of vehicles featuring the company’s innovative SKYACTIV Technology and stunning KODO design continues to expand, too. Already on sale elsewhere, the award winning all-new Mazda2 arrives in Europe this quarter along with the 2015 Mazda CX-5 and 2015 Mazda6. Mazda’s first small SUV – the Mazda CX-3 – will then join the quickly growing small SUV segment in mid-year, followed by the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5, the latest edition of the best-selling roadster in history.
On this backdrop and with the establishment of global production footprint proceeding according to plan, Mazda remains on track to meets its target for the current fiscal year of another record operating profit. The carmaker confirmed its full-year forecast of ¥210 billion (€1.52 billion), up from last year’s all-time record of ¥182 billion, on revenue of ¥2.98 trillion. Net income is pegged at ¥160 billion, which would be an 18% hike over the previous year.
* Source: Mazda Motor Corporation’s “Consolidated Financial Results for the Third Quarter of the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2015”. Euro figures were calculated at €1 = ¥140 for the first nine months and €1 = ¥138 for the full year
** Source: ACEA, EU & EFTA