Changan Ford Mazda to sell imported Mazda3 cars

Shanghai, July 29 (Gasgoo.com) Starting next month, Changan Ford Mazda, rather than FAW Mazda, will sell the imported Mazda3 hatchback in the Chinese market, said Sinocast yesterday, citing a dealer of FAW Mazda.

By all indications, Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor Corp seems to have struck a balance between its two joint ventures in China -- Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and FAW Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd.

The imported Mazda3 hatchback has been been sold by FAW Mazda, while Changan Ford Mazda sells the home-made Mazda3 sedan.  The Mazda3 dealerships of FAW Mazda will be shut down in late August when the model shifts to the sales network of Changan Ford Mazda.

The Japanese carmaker was recently forced to delay the launch of the imported Mazda3 sedan in China due to the two joint ventures' fight over the dealership network, which was scheduled for this month.

Changan Ford Mazda sold 29,689 vehicles in the first half of 2009 thanks to the hot sales of Mazda2 and Mazda3, up 26.6% from a year earlier. Mazda Motor sold 13,998 vehicles in June in China, up 30.5% year on year, and its first-half China sales rose 24.5% to 78,496 units.

FAW Mazda is preparing for building a new plant, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and will boost the carmaker's production capacity to 120,000 units.