Mazda says it is set to enjoy its highest income in a decade this year - and this follows posting a 77 per cent surge in operating profit last year.

Mazda was not as successful as Honda in North America last year and projected a further 3.6 percent fall in sales there, partly due to the need to slim down its high inventory.

But it expects another double-digit jump in European sales this year, thanks to the popularity of the Mazda6/Atenza sedan and the launch later this year of two other all-new models, including the RX-8 sports car.