Mazda US sales up 17.7 pct in Dec

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported December 2010 sales of 21,479, up 17.7 percent versus December 2009 while year-to-date 2010 sales came in at 229,566, up 10.5 percent versus 2009. There were 27 selling days in December 2010 compared to 28 in December 2009, and 308 selling days in 2010 compared to 310 in 2009.

Coming into this year, we were hopeful that the economy and industry would begin to show signs of recovery following a tumultuous 2009, so we're extremely pleased to close out 2010 on a positive note, said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. Gains in consumer confidence and the fact that we've remained true to our brand were all factors in building sales momentum this year that we believe will lead to an even brighter 2011 for Mazda.

Sales of Mazda's CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs were strong all year and December was no exception. In fact, CX-7 reported its best December since 2007 with sales of 3,413 vehicles, up 32.4 percent while CX-9 celebrated its best month ever with 3,292 vehicles, up 24.8 percent. Combined crossover SUV sales for 2010 were up 38.3 percent versus last year with a total of 57,696 vehicles and were a near 50-50 split between CX-7 (28,788) and CX-9 (28,908), the carmaker said in a statement.

While sales of Mazda's crossover SUVs were hot, sales of the volume-selling Mazda3 remained even hotter. Mazda3 reported its best December since 2007 with sales of 9,023 vehicles, up 13.1 percent versus last year. This also boosts Mazda3's year-to-date sales to 106,353, up 10.2 percent versus 2009, the statement said.

Rounding out the North American market, Mazda Canada, Inc. (MCI) reported its best December ever with sales of 5,218 vehicles, up 22.0 percent, the largest increase of any carmaker in Canada. Overall sales for 2010 rose by 7.0 percent with 78,662 vehicles sold and Mazda's market share increased from 5.0 to 5.1 percent.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) celebrated its best sales month ever in December with a total of 3,336 vehicles, up 7.0 percent. 2010 also marks MMdM's best calendar year ever with 25,116 vehicles sold, up 33.0 percent versus 2009.