We could only be still another of the way through 2014. The Japanese independent saw its highest global operating profits in its nearly 100-year history. Its global operating profits were up a huge 238 percent. Yes, a 238 percent increase over 2012 to 1.36 billion euros ($1.88 billion), eclipsing the brand’s previous best year, 2008, by 12 percent. Net revenue, earnings and global sales volume also saw increases over the last fiscal year even though or Japanese companies, March 31 marked the conclusion of fiscal 2014, plus it was a banner financial year for Mazda’s global operations.
Is how Mazda saw improvement, although what’s most impressive. The notoriously rough European market was rather kind towards the Zoom-Zoom brand, where sales increased 25 % to 163,000 units. That figure was bolstered by a 35-percent sales rise in Great Britain and a 20-percent jump in Germany, Europe’s two largest markets. Japanese sales, meanwhile, were up a respectable 13 percent, to 244,000 units. In China, Mazda saw a 12 percent bump.
Notice we aren’t talking about North American sales? That’s because Mazda only saw a moderate, five-percent gain in the newest World, with sales climbing to 391,000 units in the US, Mexico and Canada. This is particularly disappointing considering Mazda has launched three critically acclaimed products (CX-Mazda6, 5 and most recently, Mazda3) for that North American market during the last two fiscal years. Still, it isn’t a particular reason to be concerned, as IHS industry analyst Stephanie Brinley notes. Five percent isn’t terrible, Brinley told Autoblog, praoclaiming that Mazda should see a bump in 2014 as the Mazda3 picks up steam.
While Mazda might have hoped its five-percent grow in North America was really a bit higher, it shows solid progress on company CEO Masamichi Kogai along with his promise to increase US sales to 400,000 units.
