Mazda's sales in China fall 12% in July

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai August 7) - Mazda sold a total of 14,300 vehicles in China last month, Caijing reported today. The sales result represents a year-on-year decrease of 12 percent for the Japanese manufacturer. At the same time, its overall sales amount of 118,300 units for the first seven months of the year was .5 percent lower than the 104,000 units it sold during the same period of time a year ago.

The manufacturer's two joint ventures showed drastic discrepancies in their individual performances. FAW Mazda sold a total of 68,100 vehicles from January to July, equivalent to year-on-year growth of 12 percent. On the other hand, Changan Mazda sold just 50,300 vehicles over the seven month time period, a full 20 percent lower than last year.

Commenting on the sales decline, Mazda China Board Chairman and CEO Noriaki Yamada said that market conditions in China this summer have been poor, due in part to the extreme weather plaguing parts of the country. Mr. Yamada also pointed out that increased price competition from Mazda's competitors played a part in its less than ideal performance last month.

However, Mr. Yamada is confident that the new CX-5 (pictured above), as well as the upcoming yearly updates to the Mazda2, Mazda6 (pictured below) and Mazda8 due next month, will help the manufacturer in the latter half of the year. For its part, FAW Mazda has already announced that pricing for the new Mazda6 will start at 135,800 yuan ($21,497), a full 50,000 yuan ($7,915) off the manufacturer's suggested retail price.