Mazda China may be seeking to obtain exclusive rights to sell imports in China

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai March 27) - Recent statements made by various sources all seem to assert that Mazda China is in the process of revoking the rights of joint ventures Changan Mazda and FAW Mazda to sell its imported models in China The statements seem to imply that Mazda China is aiming to bring all import sales under its direct control.

"When the CX-5 hits the market this August, we will send an application to [Mazda China] to sell the imported SUV," one Changan Mazda dealership owner was quoted as saying in a report appearing in China Business News today. "In the future when applying for imported models, all applications will be made to Mazda China, [and] not to Changan Mazda," the owner added. Changan Mazda Public Relations Manager He Miao was unable to confirm the comments.

If Mazda China is able to gain exclusive rights to sell imported Mazdas in China, it will come at the expense of Changan Mazda and FAW Mazda's profits. According to one industry analyst who wishes to remain anonymous, the profit margin for an imported model is relatively high. With sales of imported Mazdas continuing to grow and new models being added, it isn't too hard to imagine why Mazda China would want direct control over their sales. According to China Automobile Trading statistics, 14,000 imported Mazdas were sold in 2011, accounting for 6.5 percent of all Mazdas sold in China.

Mazda sold a total of 1.25 million vehicles globally last year. The manufacturer plans to see that number increase to 1.6 million in 2015, with a quarter of those sales to come from the Chinese market. Meanwhile, FAW Mazda and Changan Mazda combined managed to sell 215,000 vehicles in China in 2011, ten percent less than the previous year.