After Strong 2014 Year for Mazda Sales, Will 2015 Be Even Better?
Ever since crossing into the twenty-first century, Mazda has been struggling to find its footing and identity as an automaker. After abandoning its prized rotary engine, and not playing the EV/hybrid game with its competitors, it’s been searching for a reliable niche in the American market. Mazda’s vehicles tend to win a lot of awards on its home soil in Japan, but typically go unnoticed in the West.
True, the automaker produces quality vehicles, but that doesn’t seem to be enough these days to compete with gigantic, conglomerate auto brands which dominate the market.
You’re wondering, as we all are: Has 2014 been any better for Mazda?
Let’s get to the results of the Mazda’s 2014 sales. Drum roll, please!
Mazda sold 305,801 vehicles in the United States in 2014.
To put that in perspective, the last time the automaker broke the 300,000 mark in US sales was in 1994–twenty years ago.
Could the automaker have gotten its second wind?
Impressive 2014 Year for Mazda Sales Returns Automaker to Former Glory
Mazda’s total of 305,801 sales included combined fleet and retail numbers, up 7.7% from 2013. However, retail-only sales were up 6.0% since 2013, showing a decreased reliance on fleet sales for Mazda. In 2014, 84% of total sales were from SKYACTIV technology vehicles, a 30% increase from 2013.
Certified Pre-Owned Mazdas had a 13.8% increase year-over-year, too.
December itself was a modest success, with 24,808 vehicles sold–a 8.0% increase from last year and the best since 2012 (the average sold each month in 2014 was approximately 25,500).
“2014 can only be described as historical when it comes to Mazda sales,” said Ron Stettner, vice president of sales of Mazda North America. “Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 have out-performed all year and, as a result, we surpassed 300,000 vehicle sales for the first time since 1994. The support of our dealers, along with the strongest, most-competitive showroom we have ever offered is the driving force behind our success.”
Will the impressive 2014 year for Mazda sales continue into 2015? Stettner believes so, stating, “I’m confident we’ll continue this momentum through 2015 and beyond.”
He has good reason to believe this. The 2016 MX-5 Miata, which was the automaker’s star this past year, hasn’t even been released to consumers yet, so we can expect plenty of sales there. The redesigned 2016 Mazda2 is on its way, as is the Mazda CX-3 small crossover.
Looks like it’s going to be a busy 2015 for Mazda dealerships!
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