Mazda's Chinese sales fall over 16% in January

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai February 5) - Mazda China sold a total of 19,068 vehicles in January, Gasgoo.com (Chinese) reported today, citing the manufacturer's recently released sales performance review. The figure is 16.1 percent less than the amount the manufacturer sold in January of last year.

Both of Mazda's Chinese joint venture partnerships experienced negative year-on-year sales growth in January. FAW Mazda reported selling 14,004 vehicles, seven percent less than last January's figure, while Changan Mazda's sales fell 34.1 percent, totaling 5,064 units.

In spite of the lackluster sales results, Mazda China Board Chairman and CEO Noriaki Yamada is still optimistic in the manufacturer's prospects for the year. "This year we will strengthen our product line up and expand our sales network with the aim of achieving our 200,000 sales goal for the year," Mr. Yamada remarked.

Mazda introduced its CX-9 SUV (pictured) to the Chinese market near the end of last month. The manufacturer has further plans to begin manufacturing the CX-7, CX-5 and new Mazda6 in the country later this year.