Mazda Reports 4.1 Percent Sales Gain in December, Closes 2011 Up 9.1 Percent

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Jan 04, 2012, 02:20 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported December U.S. sales of 22,353 vehicles, an increase of 4.1 percent versus last year. On a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis, Mazda's December 2011 sales also were up 4.1 percent. December 2011 represented Mazda's best December since 2007, the strong sales showing attributable to the launch of the company's innovative SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-Drive and –MT transmissions in the 2012 Mazda3 compact sedan and 5-door hatch.

Closing out an up-and-down 2011 that saw consumers starting to return to showrooms, although still shopping as much as they were actually buying, Mazda's U.S. sales were up 9.1 percent over 2010, with 250,426 vehicles sold.

Key December sales notes:

Mazda2 sales were up 60.9 percent, with 1,342 vehicles sold in December.
Mazda5 sales were up 52.5 percent, with 1,206 vehicles sold.
CX-9 crossover SUV sales were up 27.8 percent, with 4,206 vehicles sold. This represented the best-ever December for the award-winning three-row, seven-passenger CX-9.
Mazda3 sales of 9,264 vehicles accounted for a 2.7 percent increase over last year. The new 2012 Mazda3 features Mazda's innovative SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission that achieves 40 MPG on the highway, all without sacrificing driving performance.

Rounding out December sales for the North American market, Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported its best-ever month with sales of 3,660 vehicles, accounting for a 10.0 percent increase versus last year. MMdM also celebrated its best-ever year in 2011 as sales surged 19.0 percent with 29,860 vehicles sold.

In a very challenging market, Mazda Canada, Inc. (MCI) sold 4,868 vehicles in December, down 7.0 percent. For the year, MCI sold 69,186 vehicles, down 12.0 percent versus last year.

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

For more information on Mazda vehicles, visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. Product B-roll may be ordered online by visiting The News Market at www.thenewsmarket.com/mazda.

	Month-To-Date				Year-To-Date

	Dec	Dec	%	% MTD	Dec	Dec	%	% YTD
	2011	2010	Change	DSR	2011	2010	Change	DSR

Mazda2	1,342	834	60.9%	60.9%	13,952	3,021	361.8%	358.9%
Mazda3	9,264	9,023	2.7%	2.7%	102,417	106,353	(3.7)%	(4.3)%
Mazda5	1,206	791	52.5%	52.5%	19,155	15,683	22.1%	21.4%
Mazda6	3,067	3,415	(10.2)%	(10.2)%	35,711	35,662	0.1%	(0.5)%
MX-5 Miata	339	352	(3.7)%	(3.7)%	5,674	6,370	(10.9)%	(11.5)%
RX-8	26	95	(72.6)%	(72.6)%	759	1,134	(33.1)%	(33.5)%
CX-7	2,701	3,413	(20.9)%	(20.9)%	35,641	28,788	23.8%	23.0%
CX-9	4,206	3,292	27.8%	27.8%	34,421	28,908	19.1%	18.3%
Tribute	202	264	(23.5)%	(23.5)%	2,696	3,637	(25.9)%	(26.4)%
B-Series Truck	-	-	N/A		-	10	(100.0)%	(100.0)%

Total Vehicles

CARS	15,244	14,510	5.1%	5.1%	177,668	168,223	5.6%	4.9%
TRUCKS	7,109	6,969	2.0%	2.0%	72,758	61,343	18.6%	17.8%

TOTAL	22,353	21,479	4.1%	4.1%	250,426	229,566	9.1%	8.4%


MEMO:

IMPORT CAR	12,177	11,095	9.8%		141,957	132,561	7.1%
IMPORT TRUCK	6,907	6,705	3.0%		70,062	57,696	21.4%
IMPORT TOTAL	19,084	17,800	7.2%		212,019	190,257	11.4%

DOMESTIC CAR	3,067	3,415	(10.2)%		35,711	35,662	0.1%
DOMESTIC TRUCK	202	264	(23.5)%		2,696	3,647	(26.1)%
DOMESTIC TOTALS	3,269	3,679	(11.1)%		38,407	39,309	(2.3)%
Selling Days	27	27			310	308