Mazda, whose rapid UK sales growth should push sales of the brand up to nearly 3% of the market in 2007, is recruiting extra dealers.

Phil Waring, Mazda's UK managing director, revealed that he had been forced to revise sales volumes and dealer numbers due to demand for new cars.

Waring says: “We should break through the 2% barrier next year by selling 52,000 cars rising close to 58,000 in 2006 and onwards and upwards in 2007 to 70,000 units.”

His original target for an expanded sales network was to grow from 145 to 156 dealers but that has been adjusted to 185 because, “market territories which were not on the radar will become viable propositions, for example Grantham in Lincolnshire”.

Waring will use The Sunday Times Motor Show Live to meet with “one or two prospects”.

“We have developed a strategy for smaller and regional groups plus collaborative business models which make good money,” says Waring.

Mazda says that potential retailers are being attracted by the new range and a 2.5% profit on turnover, generated by the RX-8, the 3 and 6.

Waring admitted that much of the growth would come from a secret new Mazda small car to slot in below the 2, which is built at Ford's Valencia factory.