Mazda UK’s Northern Irish dealers have lifted the company’s market share in the region to 3.43% following strong sales in January.

Mazda sold 178 cars to the retail sector in region, up 105% in comparison to January 2009 making the Japanese manufacturer the third best selling brand in Northern Ireland.

Overall, the new car market in NI – including fleet sales - rose by 30% year-on-year to 7,200. Mazda’s 3.43% market share is also ahead of the December 2009 figure of 2.28% and ahead of the total UK average of 2.4%.

Mazda’s new car registrations were up by 11.4% for the whole of the UK in January giving it a market share of 1.97%.

Mark Cameron Mazda UK sales and marketing director, believes the strong start to the year could help springboard the brand to a successful 2010.

Cameron said: “This is a real achievement, making us the third best-selling Japanese brand in Northern Ireland and a springboard for the balance of 2010.

“Increasing our retail market share in such a tough economic environment has been a great effort by our Northern Ireland dealers and demonstrates the appeal of the brand to the man and woman in the street paying for a new car with their own money.”

The most popular model sold by Mazda in January was the Mazda2, followed by Mazda3, Mazda6 and the CX-7.

Mazda’s presence in Northern Ireland was boosted in 2009 with the appointment of an eighth dealership, Pat Kirk in Omagh, the second Mazda outlet for the long-established company that has an existing dealership in Strabane.

While January was the sixth month of increased market share for Mazda, 2009 marked the fifth consecutive year of growth. Mazda’s total sales in Northern Ireland in 2009, including fleet sales, were 1,414 of which 990 were to private customers. Overall market share was 2.72%.

The total Northern Ireland market in 2009 was 52,061, down 8.16% on the previous year according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.