HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Europe G.m.b.H. (MME), a European subsidiary of the Mazda Motor Corporation, has announced that it sold 303,600 vehicles in calendar year (CY) 2006, which is 13 percent more than in CY 2005. This achievement represents the third highest CY volume in MME history, after 315,377 unit sales in 1990 and 317,640 in 1991. In CY 2006, major markets such as Germany and France and most of the European countries with Mazda operations sold significantly greater volumes compared to the previous year’s results. Also, the UK, Russia, Spain and Portugal all achieved all-time sales records.

On a vehicle model sales basis, the Mazda3 European sales volume reached 97,772 units, up 1.1 percent over the previous year. Sales of Mazda6 models topped 89,940 units, up 11.3 percent, and the Mazda5 sales volume was 47,477 units, up 192.9 percent year-on-year. Popularity of the diesel engine version of these models in particular contributed to achieving the 300,000 unit sales milestone.

The retail sales volume for December 2006 reached 20,400 units, up 12.4 percent on December 2005, breaking a 19-year old record for the best December monthly sales which was set in 1987.

Since 2000, Mazda has been actively increasing its number of national sales companies (NSCs). These are wholly-owned distribution organizations through which Mazda aims to strengthen its sales network and to enhance its brand image in Europe. In 2006, new NSCs were established in Russia, Ireland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, making a total of 15. Mazda plans to commence operations at its Belgium and Luxembourg NSC in April 2007.