Mazda Canada reports sales for December and 2013 full-year

-- Strong growth by Mazda3, CX-5 helps fuel positive year-end --

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada announced sales for December 2013 today totaling 4,558, which represents an increase of 28% compared to December 2012.

Sales in December were led by the compact Mazda3, with 2,763 sold, marking the best December sales since 2009. The all-new 2014 Mazda3, available with the full suite of SKYACTIV Technology, saw sales increase by 67% in December. 78% of all Mazda3s sold in December were equipped with the fuel-efficient SKYACTIV Technology, which also accounted for 77% of all Mazda vehicles sold in the month of December.

With total sales of 1,251 in December, the 2014 CX-5 is on a roll, claiming eleven consecutive months of increased sales, rising year-over-year by 59% and 56% year-to-date compared to 2012.

"Recent awards for our growing line-up of SKYACTIV vehicles, such as Top Safety Pick + for Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5, and AJAC's Best Small Car over and under $21,000 for Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport are a clear sign that our new products are among the best on the road today," said Kory Koreeda, President, Mazda Canada. "We are confident heading into 2014 that this strong brand momentum will carry forward throughout the line-up."

Mazda ended 2013 with total sales of 71,859, which is an increase of 0.3% versus 2012.  The award-winning Mazda3 was the best-selling model with a total of 40,466 sold, ending the year up 3% over 2012. The CX-5 compact crossover, which was introduced as an all-new model in 2012, once again rose to the second place spot, finishing with 17,648 sales, for an increase of 56% over 2012. Third spot on the sales rankings went to the AJAC Best Family Car over $30,000 award-winning Mazda6, which was also introduced to the market in 2013, with total sales of 4,224. The three top-selling Mazda vehicles are all fully SKYACTIV vehicles, featuring advanced internal combustion engines with hybrid-like fuel economy and uncompromised driving dynamics.

December Highlights

• CX-5 sales up for eleven consecutive months, increase 59% for best December on record
• Mazda3 sales jump 67%, best December sales since 2009
• Mazda2 sales increased by 81% year over year
• Light truck sales rose by 37% over December 2012
• SKYACTIV Technology vehicles accounted for 77% of all sales in December
• Total vehicle sales increased by 28% in December

	December		December		YOY		YTD		YTD		YOY
	2013		2012		Change		2013		2012		Change
Mazda2	246		136		80.9%		4,072		4,935		-17.5%
Mazda3	2,763		1,655		66.9%		40,466		39,295		3.0%
Mazda5	89		335		-73.4%		3,459		5,267		-34.3%
Mazda6	116		457		-74.6%		4,224		5,128		-17.6%
MX-5	23		10		130.0%		554		711		-22.1%
RX-8	-		-		-		-		43		-100.0%
Passenger Car	3,237		2,593		24.8%		52,775		55,379		-4.7%
CX-5	1,251		786		59.2%		17,648		11,301		56.2%
CX-7	-		-		-		-		3,102		-100.0%
CX-9	70		182		-61.5%		1,436		1,412		1.7%
Tribute	-		-		-		-		444		-100.0%
Light Truck	1,321		968		36.5%		19,084		16,259		17.4%
MAZDA TOTAL	4,558		3,561		28.0%		71,859		71,638		0.3%

Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 162 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca

SOURCE: Mazda Canada Inc.

Contact: Sandra Lemaitre, National Manager, Public Relations
[phone]; [email protected]