Short Supply Issues Hamper Mazda Sales Growth

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

The new 2014 Mazda3 is getting rave reviews for its improved looks to go along with Mazda’s typical best-of-class driving dynamics. Last month, Mazda had its best August sales ever in the United States, with slightly over 28,000 units sold.

However, those August sales were up 6.8%, barely keeping up with overall growth of the U.S. market and for the year to date, Mazda sales were actually down 26.4% from 2012. According to Jeremy Barnes, director of marketing and communications for Mazda in North America, the reason is that the company is having trouble delivering enough product. The Mazda6, whose August sales were up an astounding 167% from 2012 on the strength of an all-new model, is said to be in short supply with 60% of inventory turning over every month. The CX-5 small crossover had its best month ever in August and Barnes said that supply is down to 40 days.

Mazda’s SkyActiv Technology, based on light weight and fuel efficient powertrains seems to be catching on. Models available with SkyActiv made up three quarters of all Mazda sales in August, prompting the company to increase production plans for the Skyactiv engines and transmissions. Introduction of the diesel powered Mazda6 in North America has been delayed for emissions calibration and testing, according to Mazda.

TTAC Staff
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  • Morbo Morbo on Sep 25, 2013

    Yea, they got none in DC metro. Helped a friend buy a '13 Accord recently. The short list was Accord, 6, Fusion; Toyota's and Chevy's suck (per both our biased opinions), no faith in the Altima CVT (coupled with horror stories from known bad cases), Subaru is for Vermont and the LLBean crowd, and MOPAR doesn't offer a competitive mid-sizer. Axing the Fusion because the front end looks like Monica Lewinsky during a government shutdown, we test drove 6 and Accord in metro DC (Rockville area). The Mazda dealer had TWO on their lot. Not two of a color or trim level, two total Mazda 6 automocars. The Honda dealer up and down the road had dozens, maybe hundreds on the lot. Ultimately the Accord won with a better tech package (blind spot camera's displaying in real time is awesome). But the Six was definitely the better handling and driving car. If I needed a FWD mid-sizer right now, it would win easily. I just hope they get their tech package (NAV, voice commands, ACC, cameras, etc.) up to snuff.

    • Willyam Willyam on Sep 26, 2013

      Have to agree. We've owned the first generation 3 and a CX-9. The interior on the first gen wasn't bad except for the famous "Cylon" dash radio. Seemed very 80's boombox, but otherwise a great car. We bought the 9 to have a 3-row that is still fun and stylish, and it's been nothing but reliable for 50k miles. The leather is nice, the charcoal interior is gorgeous (I'm weird, I like the cave effect). But, the dash radio and backup camera (I didn't pay the extra thousands for NAV) is pretty lacking compared to others. Still, I wouldn't change my decision. The Kodo CX-9 looks even better, tho I will admit it's pretty dated compared to the higher-tech SUV's in the same range. Something else from the Edge parts bin might have helped, but that ship just sailed.

  • Cabriolet Cabriolet on Sep 25, 2013

    Have to agree about poor dealerships. In my area Queens, NY the dealers are very bad. I have owned 2 Mazda's over the years and currently own a 1991 Miata BRG with 70,000 miles as a play toy. Mazda parts purchased from the dealers are way overpriced. Last weekend i needed a fan sensor switch for my Miata and the dealer list is $77.00. I purchased it from Moss Motors $12.95. I know many people in the trade that will not purchase a Mazda because of the price of parts. Mazda knows this and cut their parts prices to be more in line with the rest of the trade back in 1990/1992 but the dealers never cut their profit back to agree.I own 2 VW's which everyone claims their parts are very high. Trust me i pay 1/2 the price for parts that Mazda wants when purchasing VW parts.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Sep 25, 2013

    I hope this doesn't have the glitch I've been encountering lateley with my posts on TTAC. If any TTAC staff read this please fix the problem. Your Contact Us doesn't work as well!!!! So how can you receive help if you can be contacted. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Mazda in Australia is performing better than in the US and the Mazda 3 has been the largest selling car. The SkyActive diesel has had issues for a while. I have read that the engine is having problems running on the US diesel (lower quality). The article stated that Mazda was hopeful that they can produce a SkyActive diesel to run on the US grade of fuel.

  • April April on Sep 26, 2013

    If I could afford a new car I'd probably go with the Mazda2. I would think it is totally lots of fun with a stick.

    • See 2 previous
    • April April on Sep 26, 2013

      @Demetri Not bad. :)

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