Mazda 5 sales 43.9% up in US

[mplep]

OK, I'm from the UK, but I noticed this news item which is of interest.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/01/03/074300.html

"MAZDA5 also celebrated its best-ever December in the U.S. with 1,627 units sold, up 43.9 percent versus 2006"

 

[kura808]

wow thats pretty good considering that the last news of sales for the mazda5 were really bad. way to go mazda xD

 

[a10thunder]

December '07 was indeed a huge month for the Mazda5. Maybe the 2008 model will turn Mazda5 sales around. Overall 2007 sales is still down 20% from last year.

From Mazda North American Operations

December 2007: 1,627
December 2006: 1,131
Change: 43.9%

2007 Total: 13,718
2006 Total: 17,109
Change: -19.8%

 

[mrbwa1]

Well, since most agree that 5 advertising is basically non-existent, is the upswing due to the '08 getting press (esp. comparisons with the Kia Rondo), or perhaps gas prices are getting to people?

Honestly, it always seems that the best prices are around Nov/Dec as dealers prep for next year's model (excluding that "new" tradition of bring out next year's model in April). We picked up our Sport at the end of October and I have to think that even the Touring and GTs (US) were selling at or under invoice due to the refresh/changes.

I have definitely seen a proliferation of 5s in my local area, but don't think I've seen another sport. Each one reminds my how nice those factory rims are! (we are currently riding on 16" steelies with the winter tires)

 

[autoxes]

I HAVE been seeing more and more of those things lately.

 

[coolmazda5]

Well, since most agree that 5 advertising is basically non-existent, is the upswing due to the '08 getting press (esp. comparisons with the Kia Rondo), or perhaps gas prices are getting to people?

Agree, I think the advertising (apart from the auto web sites) is almost null at least in the US. Gas pricing is not yet a critical purchase factor it seems.

Now, the Rondo still sold more in the US, but not so in Canada. X or Y car, the trend for these type of vehicles may be going up, and don't forget that Mazda in general keeps a good word as well! Possibly that is why, even with those numbers, we got a NA (US, Canada) specific refresh (i.e. 2nd row A/C), maybe the Mazda5 is its pet project and secret weapon (lol2)

US Numbers:
Rondo: 26,020 >> 2007 - 594 >> 2006
Mazda5: 13,718 >> 2007 - 17,109 >> 2006

Canada Numbers:
Mazda5: 11,690 >> 2007 - 8,694 >> 2006
Rondo: 7,638 >> 2007 - 85 >> 2006

Now, check Mazda in the US:
By the Numbers: 2007 sales: Mazda grows the most in 2007
http://www.mazdav.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123693040

Sources:
Other forum and the Automotive News here...

 

[WhiteStar III]

OK, I'm from the UK, but I noticed this news item which is of interest.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/01/03/074300.html

"MAZDA5 also celebrated its best-ever December in the U.S. with 1,627 units sold, up 43.9 percent versus 2006"

(no)
I'd love to see the retail vrs. fleet sales for December

 

[bulwnkl]

Personally I don't care too much whether they're selling them to fleets or individuals (I do care, but not a whole lot) so long as it keeps them on the market here. I'd also be interested to see whether they have a Big-3-style discounting program at Mazda for fleet sales. That is to say: are they selling the 5 for significantly less to fleets than they are to individuals?

Either way, a 5 with 10,000 miles on it at the rental return lot should be extremely price-competitive with anything, even a Kia/Hyundai. So, they should still make it into the hands of private individuals pretty soon.

 

[bulwnkl]

Agree, I think the advertising (apart from the auto web sites) is almost null at least in the US. Gas pricing is not yet a critical purchase factor it seems.

This is an interesting aspect to think about. I know that for us it would be foolish to say that fuel pricing is not critical. We've significantly reduced the number of miles we drive in the past year or two because of fuel prices. Income-wise, Tax Cut/Turbo Tax say we're right at average (median, I think?) AGI for US households, so I think we're as close to middle-class as there is left in this country?

I suppose there may be many reasons for why it appears to many folks that fuel prices are not yet critical. I can think of many, many reasons why it might look that way, but I have no way to know whether any of those thoughts are accurate or not.

 

[mikeyb]

That is good news. I keep seeing more and more 5s on the road. People downsizing because of the price of gas? I know I'm thinking about it.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

I support the point the the mazda 5 is the best. End of story