Mazda hoping to double U.S. sales over next 5 years to 400,000

Mazda Shinari Concept

While Mazda’s sales in the United States were up 9 percent to 174,770 vehicles through September, the Japanese automaker has not quite kept pace with the overall U.S. market’s 10 percent advance.

However, Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi isn’t giving up just yet. Yamanouchi says he sees significant growth around the corner and over the next five years and expects U.S. sales to double to 400,000 units.

Yamanouchi says that he is banking on new green-car technologies, collectively known as SkyActiv, which consists of engines, transmissions and weight-cutting. He said that most models will have the fuel-saving features by 2015. The move should help Mazda command more premium for its vehicles while moving upmarket.

Until all that takes place, Mazda is stuck with the yen surging against the dollar and uncertainty of FoMoCo’s partnership. Ford reduced its stake 11 percent from 33 percent in 2008.

Personally, we thought it would take a better marketing campaign and some vehicles with major Mazda Shinari Concept influences… but that’s just us.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)