Will the Mazda CX-5 Eclipse Sales of the Mazda 3?
The most popular Mazda model sold here in Australia is the Mazda 3, but that may be changing in the very near future. We’re still waiting for the arrival of the latest generation Mazda 3 here, and this will inevitably weaken sales of the model during 2019. However, the Mazda CX-5 is set to become the most popular Mazda in Australia for several months to come at least.
Choosing a Mazda CX-5 SUV?
If you take a look at the Mazda CX-5 in Perth showrooms, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular choice with Aussie drivers. This medium SUV is an excellent choice for those wanting a little off road fun at the weekends, but it’s equally at home on our roads. However, at first glance, it seems strange to expect potential Mazda 3 buyers to opt for a CX-5 instead. After all, the Mazda 3 is a small hatch, and a medium SUV is a very different type of vehicle.
The Managing Director of Mazda Australia is Vinesh Bhindi, and he seems quite confident that there will be a CX-5 sales boost. Although fewer car buyers are expected for the Mazda 3, Mr. Bhindi expects many of those customers will make a purchase within the Mazda stable. In an interview with car industry insiders, Mr. Bhindi said “The volume will redistribute,” he then added, “in a full calendar year with the new Mazda 3, our conservative estimate is around 20,000 units.” This represents a significant decrease in sales figures; over the last few years, we have seen more than 30,000 units registered consistently with 31,065 annual Mazda 3 sales in 2018 alone. Mr. Bhindi continued by saying “Some of those customers we think will be looking at other options within our portfolio, but naturally a migration towards SUVs will happen,” he then finished by saying “things will change.”
Intersecting Sales Figures
The CX-5 is set to replace the Mazda 3 at the top of the sales chart here sometime within the next 12-24 months. However, both of these models have been getting close on the sales charts for some time. As the Mazda 3 sales have gradually declined due to an incoming next generation car, we have seen the CX-5 registrations rising steadily. During 2017 and 2018 the sales of the Mazda 3 fell by around 5%, and the CX-5 sales grew by around 1.5%. During 2018 sales of the Mazda CX-5 increased to 26,173 units and the current sales figures seem to mirror this trend.
January 2019 Sales Figures
The first full month of sales figures for 2019 shows that the Mazda 3 sold 2,831 units, which is 11.6% down on the same period last year. During the same January sales period, the CX-5 sold 2,347 units, which is an increase of 9.1% compared to 2018. Of course, this is affected by the Mazda 3 run out ahead of the next generation model that’s due to arrive at the end of Q2.
If you’re interested in a new Mazda CX-5 for sale in Perth, contact Mandurah Mazda for a no obligation test drive today.
