Mazda to expand China dealerships for sales growth

Shanghai, January 26 (Gasgoo.com) Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor Corp will redouble its marketing efforts in China by increasing local dealerships by 80% from the current level to more than 450 as early as 2012, the Nikkei newspaper reported today.

Mazda plans to sell more than 220,000 vehicles this year, up from 180,000 in 2009, and increase dealerships to 300 by the end of the year from 254 as of December, company spokesman Ken Haruki said today in Tokyo.

Through its dealership network expansion, the automaker seeks to drive up annual sales in China, which has replaced the U.S. as the world's biggest auto market, to more than 300,000 units annually within two or three years.

Mazda increased its Chinese dealerships by some 20% to 250 last year, opening sites mostly in Beijing, Shanghai and other coastal regions. Now the focus will shift to such inland areas as cities along the Yangtze River.

The Mazda Atenza mid-size car is locally produced at a venture with FAW Group while the Axela and the Demio models are manufactured at the two factories (at Chongqing and Nanjing) of a three-way tie-up Changan Ford Mazda.

Mazda's two groups of dealerships in China, one with FAW Group and the other with Changan Auto, both will expand. Previously media said Ford Motor and Mazda Motor would end their partnership in China.