Mazda3 reaches three million units produced globally

Mazda customers’ compact family car of choice, the Mazda3, has reached three million cumulative production units on 26 April 2011, declared Mazda Motor Corporation. This milestone was achieved in just seven years and 10 months since production of the first-generation model commenced, making the Mazda3 the fastest-selling model in Mazda’s current line-up of passenger vehicles.
 
In the UK, the Mazda3 has enjoyed popularity with many families since its launch in 2004 and accounts for almost a quarter of UK sales at 9,659 units, financial year 2010. During its life cycle, the Mazda3 was awarded the ‘Best Family Car’ title at the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2009 by The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers and achieved first place in the European compact car segment in the 2010 customer satisfaction study conducted by J.D. Power.
 
The second generation Mazda3 has proven to be an attractive offer in the compact car segment in the UK, attributable to its design, handling and performance.
 
The Mazda3 is a true global model. It is produced at three locations - Mazda’s Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi, Japan (where all European models are produced), the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA) plant in Nanjing, China; and AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) - and sold in approximately 90 countries and regions*. The three-millionth Mazda3 was produced at the Hofu Plant. It is a Japanese-specification five-door hatchback with Mazda’s MZR-2.0-litre engine, i-stop and a Crystal White Pearl Mica exterior.
 
Mazda Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of R&D, Hirotaka Kanazawa, said: “The Mazda3 embodies the three elements of Mazda’s DNA: Distinctive Design, Exceptional Functionality, and Responsive Handling and Driving Performance. Continued global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s mainstay model, comprising a third of all Mazda vehicle sales.
 
Since the first-generation model appeared on the market, it has responded to the major changes in the automobile industry by inheriting and strengthening Mazda’s brand DNA while evolving exceptional environmental and safety performance.
 
As the Mazda3 passes the three million-unit mark, I would like to thank every customer for their support, and reaffirm our commitment to delivering outstanding environmental and safety performance balanced with driving pleasure that goes beyond your expectations.”

For more information, visit mazda.co.uk.