Mazda Offers Complete Fleet Solution With New Mazda5 Diesel

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – November 16, 2010: Mazda will offer fleet decision-makers a comprehensive five-model range from January when a low emission diesel version of its new seven-seat compact multi-activity vehicle goes on sale. The seven-seat Mazda5 has gone on sale in the UK with the option of 1.8-litre 115ps and 2.0-litre 150ps petrol engines, with a 1.6-litre 115ps 138 g/km turbo diesel unit completing the powertrain line-up in January 2011.

Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director Peter Allibon said: “With the arrival of the Mazda5 diesel we will be offering fleets a complete five-model range - Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6 and CX-7 topped by the iconic MX-5.

“It is a huge step forward from where Mazda was just four years ago when only the Mazda6 could be described as meeting the demands of fleet operators and company car drivers.

“Now, rather than a single car Mazda is able to offer businesses a complete fleet solution from an urban super mini through to load-carriers required by high-mileage reps and on to lifestyle vehicles for user-choosers.”

The Mazda5 range, includes the 1.8 TS priced at £17,695 on the road, the 2.0 TS2 £18,895, the 2.0 Sport £20,195, the 1.6D TS2 £20,195 and the 1.6D Sport £21,495.

The model enters showrooms with Mazda’s core fleet sales to outright purchase end-user fleets and contract hire and leasing companies, including through Mazda Contract Hire, on a buoyant upward curve. For the first nine-months of the year sales are up 13 percent up year-on-year totalling 4,956 compared to 4,388 for the nine months to the end of September 2009.

The Mazda6 retains its place as the most popular company car in the brand’s range accounting for more than half of the marque’s core fleet sales. Mazda6 estate demand is also strong and in the July to September quarter it accounted for 36 percent of core fleet sales peaking at 42 percent in July.

Demand for both the Mazda2 and Mazda3 is continuing to rise with sales to end-user fleets and contract hire and leasing companies totalling 1,020 units in the first nine months of the year.

Meanwhile, sales of the Mazda2 are expected to receive a boost following the recent unveiling of the upgraded range, which sees improvements in fuel economy of up to two percent and a CO2 emissions improvement of up to 4.8 percent. The nine-model range costs from £9,995 on the road for the 1.3 TS Air Con.

Allibon said: “Fleet decision-makers and company car drivers want stylish cars that are reliable and cost-effective to operate with low emissions and first-class fuel economy.

“Mazda is delivering all of those credentials across its model range giving fleet operators low cost of ownership figures and company car drivers’ wallet-friendly company car tax bills while at the wheel of highly-specced cars.”