Mazda MX-5 Sales Hits 100,000 Mark in the UK

The British division of Mazda announced today it has achieved an important milestone in MX-5 sales, with the iconic sportscar hitting 100,000 units within a period of twenty years. In fact, British motorists account for over 10 percent of global sales and 40 percent of European sales since the MX-5’s introduction in 1990.

The car was an instant sales success in the UK. Arriving in mid March 1990, it managed to reach 2,246 units sold by the end of its first year.

In the UK, MX-5 earned the title of ‘Best Sports Car’ in its class in the 2010 JD Power vehicle ownership satisfaction survey and has won the ‘Best Roadster’ title for the fifth time-in-a-row at the 2010 Auto Express New Car Awards.

“The legendary Mazda MX-5 is the car most people associate with Mazda,” said Mark Cameron, sales director, Mazda UK. “It is a car that people not only aspire to, but can afford to run and enjoy driving on a daily basis.  This iconic sportscar’s handling has been voted as the best by motoring magazines.  It is a fun car that makes each journey an enjoyable experience – a car that encompasses Mazda’s soul. To hit 100,000 sales in the UK is a significant milestone for Mazda.”

Mazda is reportedly working on a new generation MX-5 model currently, which will be launched sometime in 2012 and will use the company’s outgoing Nagare design language. Initial details point to the fact that the new MX-5 will weigh 1,000 kg and will use the Sky-G engines, most likely to be coupled with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox.