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Mazda Scores Record Sales in Europe Last Year

Given the financial crisis, “each for himself and let the devil take the hindmost” might be the new slogan of car makers around the world. So, every single success in the economic storm is worth being mentioned.

Last year, Mazda Motor Europe established record sales in the European market with 342,800 units sold, meaning an increase by 9.3 percent compared to 2007. However, they owe this victory to the sales in the first 10 months which show an increase in 20 individual markets, among them six that set all-time records (Russia, Portugal, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Belarus).

The Russians seemed to have preferred Mazda vehicles last year since sales have grown up  47 per cent compared to 2007, with 73,700 units sold. In Hungary, 3,600 vehicles were sold, meaning up 29 percent. Sales in Slovenia scored another record with 1,600 units, up 50 percent while in Belarus, 1,500 units were sold, meaning 138 percent up compared to 2007. In Croatia, 3,100 Mazda vehicles were sold and in Portugal, 5,100 Mazda cars found new owners.

“We are satisfied with these positive results, particularly in the context of a difficult trading year.  A combination of our professional dealer network and the strongest Mazda line-up ever has helped deliver our highest calendar year volume,” said Philip Waring, newly appointed European Chief Operating Officer (COO) with responsibility for sales and marketing. “These last two months were a challenge, and the current economic downturn makes predictions difficult. But following our success in CY2008 we can move into 2009 with a guarded degree of optimism.”

Mazda may have scored an European success which is worth remembering over the years but let's just not forget the past two months of last year. We don't intend to be pessimistic at all but judging by the decreasing trend, we don't forecast a bright future for any carmaker.
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