MAZDA REPORTS BEST MARCH SALES SINCE 2007

- Month Marked by Strong Sales of Mazda2, Mazda3, MX-5 and CX-5 -

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Apr 01, 2014, 12:47 ET

IRVINE, Calif., April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported March U.S. sales of 34,903 vehicles, representing an increase of 9.0 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through March are down 0.3 percent versus last year, with 78,282 vehicles sold.

"As March's weather signaled a warming trend from the frigid temperatures seen in January and February, the month saw customers return to a shopping mood. And in March, Mazda's sales continued to grow, not only in quantity, but in quality as well," said Ron Stettner, Vice President, Sales, MNAO. "We have taken a long-term view to the strength of our business and the future value of our vehicles, in order to bolster residual values through strong transaction prices and managed incentives. When a Mazda buyer chooses a Mazda, they are making a stronger long-term investment."

The 2014 Mazda3 is performing very well: March 2014 saw a retail sales growth of 15.8 percent over March of 2013. Year-to-date Mazda3 retail sales are up 12.7 percent, with the four-door sedan up 10.8 percent and the five-door hatchback up 32.5 percent – all in a C-segment which has been documented as being down so far this year.

And it's obviously a sound business decision: The 2014 Mazda3 was named by ALG to have the highest residual value in its segment, and the entire Mazda brand was named by KBB.com as the most affordable non-luxury brand to own over a five-year period.

Key March sales notes:

Just over two years into CX-5's selling cycle, it has its best selling month ever with 11,855 units, an increase of 66.6 percent YOY.
Best March for MX-5 since 2009 with 751 units sold, an increase of 31.1 percent, YOY.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported March sales of 2,794 vehicles, up 14.0 percent versus March of 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 and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

	Month-To-Date				Year-To-Date

	Mar	Mar	%	% MTD	Mar	Mar	%	% YTD
	2014	2013	Change	DSR	2014	2013	Change	DSR

Mazda2	2,202	925	138.1%	147.2%	3,808	3,496	8.9%	11.1%
Mazda3	10,536	10,505	0.3%	4.2%	24,056	29,133	(17.4)%	(15.8)%
Mazda5	2,016	2,526	(20.2)%	(17.1)%	4,988	6,666	(25.2)%	(23.7)%
Mazda6	5,730	6,102	(6.1)%	(2.5)%	12,847	10,951	17.3%	19.6%
MX-5 Miata	751	573	31.1%	36.1%	1,256	1,235	1.7%	3.7%
RX-8		-	N/A	N/A	1	1	0.0%	2.0%
CX-5	11,855	7,116	66.6%	73.0%	26,206	17,809	47.2%	50.0%
CX-7	-		N/A	N/A	-	-	N/A	N/A
CX-9	1,813	4,281	(57.7)%	(56.0)%	4,896	8,991	(45.5)%	(44.5)%
Tribute	-		N/A	N/A	-	-	N/A	N/A

Total Vehicles

CARS	21,235	20,631	2.9%	6.9%	46,956	51,482	(8.8)%	(7.0)%
TRUCKS	13,668	11,397	19.9%	24.5%	31,102	26,800	16.1%	18.3%

TOTAL	34,903	32,028	9.0%	13.2%	78,058	78,282	(0.3)%	1.7%


MEMO:

IMPORT CAR	21,229	17,231	23.2%		76,005	40,531	87.5%
IMPORT TRUCK	13,668	11,397	19.9%		31,102	26,800	16.1%
IMPORT TOTAL	34,897	28,628	21.9%		107,107	67,331	59.1%

DOMESTIC CAR	6	3,400	(99.8)%		6,279	37,253	(83.1)%
DOMESTIC TRUCK	-	-	N/A		-	-	N/A
DOMESTIC TOTALS	6	3,400	(99.8)%		6,279	37,253	(83.1)%
Selling Days	26	27			51	52