Retail sales in Europe for January to October up 14.2% on
last year
Sales for the Mazda 121 Metro, which was introduced into the European market last August,
have well exceeded initial expectations.Sales averaged 2,300 units a month for the
first three months, almost 50 percent ahead of the initial monthly target of 1,500.
Since Mazda launched the Metro (known as the Demio in Japan and Europe) in
August 1996 as a multi-purpose compact car, the model has continued to record sales in
Japan of between 7,000 and 10,000 units per month.
Offering a spacious interior within a compact body, as well as a highly flexible
seating arrangement, the Metro has become one of Japan’s favourite vehicles.
The Metro has also become competitive within its crowded segment in the European
market, where it has received excellent marks for its higher vehicle height, class-leading
luggage space and "full-flat-seat-reclining" seats.
Mazda’s total retail sales in Europe for January to October of this year climbed
by 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Mazda recorded 12% in share for the
compact car class in Austria for September, and in one of its primary markets, Germany,
back-orders of 1.5 months exist for the Metro.
Mazda expects this positive trend will continue and gain more momentum with further
solid sales of the Metro, together with the Mazda 323 Astina and Protege range introduced
at about the same time.
