Mazda Reports Double Digit Sales Increase for August

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported its best August since 2003 with U.S. sales of 24,762 units, accounting for an 11.0 percent increase versus the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of 203,298 are up 7.6 percent year-over-year.

Leading the sales charge were the MAZDA3 and CX-7, both of which reported double-digit sales increases versus last August. With no customer cash and only minimal lease and finance support, MAZDA3 celebrated its best August since launch with sales of 10,511 units, accounting for a 51.1 percent increase versus last year. August also marks the fourth straight month MAZDA3 sales have eclipsed the 10,500 unit mark. For the year, MAZDA3 sales are up nearly 25 percent.

Mazda's CX-7 continues to post strong sales in the highly competitive crossover SUV segment as it celebrated its best August since launch with 4,072 units, accounting for an 18.5 percent versus last year. Combined with the three-row, seven-passenger CX-9, which reported 2,244 units sold this month, year-to-date sales for Mazda's crossover SUVs total 42,114 units.

"As the summer heats up, so have Mazda sales," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "Smaller car companies like Mazda are often more easily affected by the ups and downs of gas prices, housing values and interest rates. That said, customers continue to vote with their wallets and that has better positioned us to ride out the peaks and valleys through the rest of the year and forward."

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) continues its string of impressive sales with 1,448 vehicles sold, more than double August 2006. On a year-to-date basis, MMdM reported 10,081 total sales.

Rounding out North America, Mazda Canada, Inc. reported sales of 8,646 units, accounting for a 4.7 percent decrease versus last year. On a year-to-date basis, however, sales are up 10.2 percent with 64,038 units sold.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.