8:00AM New York - Mazda Motor Corp’s sales rose 9.5% to 2.5 trillion yen on 3.6% retail volume growth in North America and a 3.2% gain in Europe.

Nine-Month Earnings Review

Mazda Motor Corp. reported nine months sales ending December 31st rose 9.5% from 2.2 trillion yen a year earlier to 2.5 trillion yen on improved unit sales in North America, Europe and Asia.

Net income in the latest three months jumped 6.9% from 42 billion yen a year ago to 45 billion yen. Earnings per share rose to 31.96 yen from 30.06 yen last year.

Mazda’s operating income increased 1.1% from 107 billion yen a year earlier to 108 billion yen in the quarter.

Revenue

In the nine months ended December 31st, retail volume in Japan declined 3.6% year-on-year to 175,000 units despite the unveiling of the New Demio model as demand fell and wage growth slowed.

Sales volume during the period fell by 9,070 units from a year ago to 177,263 units. Resultantly, operating income in Japan fell to 77 billion yen from 95 billion yen in the year-ago period.

During the nine-month period, retail volume in North America rose 8.6% year-on-year to 302,000 units on strong sales of the Mazda3 model and the CX-9. Sales volumes also increased to 279,917 units from 277,074 units a year earlier.

Overall, operating income in the North American market in the quarter advanced to 10 billion yen from 8.4 billion yen in the comparable period.

Europe’s retail volume in the nine months ended December grew 3.2% to 228,000 units on robust growth in Russia. Sales volumes rose by 2,991 units to 214,553 units as a result, with operating income jumping to 13.1 billion yen from 9.6 billion yen a year ago.

In China, retail volumes however fell by 27.9% year-on-year after the company stopped production of the 323 and Premacy models.

The period also saw increasing demand from emerging markets, especially Australia. Retail volumes edged up 22.1% to 199,000 units.

Production Volumes

In the nine months ended December 31st, production of passenger cars rose by 40,180 units from a year ago to 721,915 units.

Production of trucks slumped to 31,526 units from 43,426 in the year-ago period.

Outlook

Mazda forecasts full-year net sales growth of 2.2% a year to 3.32 trillion yen, boosted by strong demand for emerging markets, Asia and Europe.

Full-year net income was unchanged from the November target and is estimated to increase 15.3% to 85 billion yen. Net income per share is projected at 60.32 yen.

Operating income for the year is forecasted to rise 0.9% to 160 billion yen.