Mazda Motor Europe sold 18,137 vehicles in December, up 6% compared to the same period in 2004.

Several markets achieved record or near-record results. Sales in the UK rose by 22% in December. Russia set a single month record for sales volume, at 2,505 units, up 111% year-on-year, and sales in Switzerland jumped by 93% compared to December 2004. Mazda’s Scandinavian organization recorded a sales boost of 41%. The region was led by Denmark, where sales were up 83% and Sweden, up 68% year-on-year.

France increased sales by 26% and had its best December since 1992 for volume, at 1,186 units and for market share, estimated to be 0.6%.

These December results closed the fourth quarter of 2005 (October through December) with a volume of 59,095 units, which represents the best fourth quarter in 15 years for Mazda.

For 2005, Mazda Motor Europe sales held steady with a volume of 272,554 units, which is less than one percent below its outstanding sales performance in 2004. The Mazda brand captured a predicted European market share for the year of 1.5%, equalling 2004’s market share result.

Mazda Motor Europe’s top selling vehicle in 2005 was the Mazda3, with a sales volume of 97,072 units, up 37% year-on-year. The Mazda6 sold 83,894 units.