Mazda UK broke the 50,000 annual sales barrier for only the second time in its history for the fiscal year 2009 to 2010.

Last month also marked the company's second best March for passenger car sales with 10,000 new Mazda vehicles sold.

 

"While the scrappage scheme played some part in pushing the company to new heights, it was only about 17% of the month's total sales," explained Jeremy Thomson, managing director for Mazda UK.

"What has really driven our sales is a very healthy retail mix with 70% of total sales to private buyers, well ahead of the industry average of around 55%."

This shows the "tremendous underlying strength" of the brand, its products and dealer network, said Thomson.

Mazda UK's policy of focusing on its core retail customers and profitable small fleet business is also helping dealers make money - return on sales for Mazda's 154-strong dealer network is some 50% higher than the industry average, according to Thomson.

Mazda2 was the marque's best seller with total sales for the financial year in March topping 20,000, which is some 7,000 more than the previous financial year.

One of the surprises has been Mazda MX-5 sales, which hit 5,000 - one in ten of Mazda's total - and were only 600 down on the previous year.

"The MX-5 has proved surprisingly recession proof and is a real brand icon for us," said Thomson.

Mazda's success in March saw it grab a 2.6% slice of the UK market, up from 2.4% during most of the previous 12 months.