Car manufacturer Mazda UK is expanding at twice the rate of the industry average so far this year, according to new figures.
Sales are up by more than a fifth (21 per cent) for the first nine months of the year, while the sector as a whole has seen business increase by just under one-tenth (9.1 per cent).
The statistics have been supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which also found the number of cars sold in September – a key month for trading because of the larger proportion of new car deals on offer – also followed the same trend.
Last month, over 8,000 motors were sold by Mazda UK, which represented a 12.2 per cent upward shift. This was compared with a market average increase of 5.6 per cent.
Overall, Mazda UK has sold 31,400 units across the first three quarters of 2014, which the company's sales director Peter Allibon says puts it on course to achieve 20 per cent annual growth for the third consecutive year.
"What is really pleasing is that Mazda6 retail sales are up 63 per cent after we saw an opportunity to tackle a sector traditionally dominated by premium German brands," he noted.
The Mazda6, Mazda CX-5 and the all-new Mazda3 are believed to be the key drivers behind the impressive figures, with demand for the CX-5 still much greater than supply, despite the model being launched over two years ago in April 2012.
This year has so far proven to be an exceptional one for the manufacturer, with Mazda also claiming the honour of being named Best Car Manufacturer at the respected Which? awards event – it had previously won the gong in 2008.
At the same ceremony, Mazda's MX-5 was also recognised with the Most Reliable New Sportscar prize.
Posted by Fred Mason