The ever popular Mazda3 has hit the five million mark after just Twelve years and ten months.

• Twelve years and ten months since production of the model started in June 2003

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the total production volume of the Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) reached five million units at the end of April 2016. It is the second Mazda to reach five million units of production, following the Mazda Familia. 

The Mazda3 sets a new record for Mazda by achieving the milestone figure in only twelve years and ten months since production of the model commenced in June 2003.

The Mazda3 is a core model for Mazda, accounting for approximately one third of the company’s annual sales volume. 

It is manufactured at the Hofu Plant in Japan, Changan Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., in China, AutoAlliance (Thailand) and Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation in Mexico. It is also assembled in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Since the first generation, Mazda has consistently worked to exceed expectations with the Mazda3, refining its dynamic design and responsive and enjoyable driving performance. 

Currently in its third generation, the Mazda3 was fully redesigned in 2013, adopting SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO—Soul of Motion design to join Mazda’s new-generation lineup. Critically acclaimed around the globe, the model won Canadian Car of the Year’s Best New Small Car in 2013 and the international Red Dot Design Award in 2014. 

It was named a Top 3 Finalist for World Car of the Year and World Design Car of the Year in 2014.

Moving forward, Mazda will continue to develop products which offer all customers driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance. The company aims to enrich people’s lives and become a brand connected to its customers by a special bond.

Suzuki announces that the worldwide success story, the Swift, has sold over 5,000,000 units.

Suzuki is pleased to announce that global sales of Swift have now passed the five million mark, just eighteen months after the celebration of four million units. First launched in the UK in May 2005, more than 118,000 Swifts have been sold and it is the most popular model in the range, accounting for 36 per cent of the UK sales mix.

Swift is a world strategic model that was first built in Japan in 2004 with production bases expanding the year after to Hungary, India and China. Production then commenced in Malaysia (2007), Pakistan (2009), Thailand (2012) and Vietnam in 2014. All European Swifts are made at Suzuki’s established Magyar plant in Hungary.

Across the globe, 11 per cent of Swift sales are in Japan, around 50 per cent in India and 19 per cent across Europe. Swift is on sale in 140 countries and has won more than 70 awards.

In the UK, Swift is available in three and five door versions; it has a 1.2-litre petrol engine which emits 116g/km CO₂ as well as a Dualjet engine equipped with twin fuel injectors that records just 99g/km of CO₂ and offers even stronger fuel economy. Swift is also one of the safest cars in its class with a five star Euro NCAP rating as well as offering a low cost of ownership proposition.

Swift is available in five clearly defined specification grades which are SZ2, SZ3, SZ-L, SZ4 with 1.2-litre petrol engine and Sport with 1.6-litre engine. All models offer seven airbags and ESP as standard, front passenger airbag deactivation facility, electric windows, remote central door locking with deadlocks, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 / WMA compatible CD tuner with USB port and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

It can also be specified with four wheel drive which offers added safety during the winter months, the 4x4 is available as a five door 1.2 Dualjet petrol model with manual transmission and equipped as either an SZ3 or SZ4 grade. Thanks to the use of small and lightweight components Swift 4x4 is just 65kg heavier than an equivalent 2WD petrol model.

All Swift models except 4x4 and Sport are available with a 0% PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) Finance offer until the end of June 2016. Taking SZ3 three door as an example, a deposit of £2,411 is required followed by 42 monthly payments of £99 and a final payment of £3,680 to keep the car. The three door Sport is available with an APR rate of 2.8% on PCP for £169 per month payable over 48 months with a deposit of £1,639.

The amazing Mazda6 achieves the three million mark, in just 12 years.

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that total global production of the Mazda6 (known as Mazda Atenza in Japan) reached three million units*1 at the end of November 2014. The milestone figure was reached in approximately 12 years and nine months after production of the first-generation Mazda6 began in February 2002 at Hofu Plant No. 2 in Yamaguchi, Japan. 

It is the second fastest time for a Mazda model to reach three million units of production, following the Mazda3 (Mazda Axela in Japan).

Since the first generation, the Mazda6 has stayed true to its original aim of offering driving pleasure, and along with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom brand message has been leading the company’s product lineup since its introduction. The model is currently produced at Hofu Plant in Japan and FAW Car Co. Ltd. in China. Additionally, it is assembled locally at MAZDA SOLLERS Manufacturing Rus in Russia and Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Vietnam.

The current, third generation Mazda6 was fully redesigned in 2012. Adopting the full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and the KODO—Soul of Motion design theme, it became the second model to join Mazda’s new generation line-up. The redesigned model has received high praise in markets all over the world. Including being named 2014 RJC Car of the Year in Japan and nominated as a finalist for 2013 World Car Design of the Year, it has claimed over 40 different awards globally.*2

An updated Mazda6 will be rolled out to global markets from January 2015, with launches starting from Japan and USA. Adopting Mazda’s latest ideas and technologies, the updated model offers new levels of depth and maturity. It features a more refined design expression, enhanced dynamic performance for a more comfortable, higher-quality ride, the Mazda Connect new-generation car connectivity system*3 and i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety technologies.*4

Moving forward, Mazda will continue to develop products which offer all customers driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance, with an aim of enriching people’s lives and becoming a brand that builds a special bond with its customers.

# # #

*1 1st generation: 1,945,850 units; 2nd generation: 718,882 units; 3rd generation: 335,773 units.

Total: 3,000,505 units

*2 As of end of October 2014. Based on Mazda data.

*3 The name Mazda Connect is used in Japan, US, Canada and Mexico. The system is referred to as MZD Connect in other markets.

*4: Available features vary by country or region.

Bentley opens first dealer in Hanoi, Vietnam.

• Bentley Hanoi dealership starts new future in Vietnam
• British brand increases presence in dynamic Asia Pacific region
• CT-Wearnes Vietnam Co Ltd announced as authorised partner

Bentley Motors launches its first dealership in Vietnam next month. The new operation is situated in Vietnam’s commercially dynamic and fast-growing capital city of Hanoi. The new dealership will offer customers the full Bentley model range as well as aftersales service and the company’s branded luxury goods.

Known as the ‘City of Lakes’, and with a metropolitan area population of over 6.2 million people, Hanoi has established itself as an important international centre for culture, finance and manufacturing. The dealership is located in the new district of Nam Tu Liem – a new commercial and financial centre in the city. Kevin Rose, Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales for Bentley Motors, comments: 

“We look forward to working in Hanoi and the already high levels of enthusiasm for Bentley from potential customers is an encouraging starting point. We have a strong partner in CT-Wearnes Vietnam who combines an in-depth knowledge of business in Vietnam with a long and successful track record of luxury automotive retailing in the region, notably with Bentley.

“Bentley is making strong progress in the key Asia Pacific region with a 49% rise in customer deliveries achieved in the first nine months of 2014 and we’re confident Bentley Hanoi will contribute to this positive performance.”

Bentley Motors now has 14 authorised dealers in the Asia Pacific region and 194 worldwide operating in 55 countries. At the quarter three point of 2014, global deliveries increased by 19%, to 7,786 cars, up from 6,516 cars in the first nine months of 2013.

For further information about Bentley Vietnam, please go to www.hanoi.bentleymotors.com

Infiniti sets up shop in Vietnam with first outlet.

• Global premium car brand establishes strong presence in Vietnam
• Continued global expansion
• First Infiniti Center inaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City
• Introducing Infiniti QX80 full-size premium SUV and iconic QX70 crossover

Infiniti today officially introduced the brand and its premium vehicles to customers in Vietnam. The company inaugurated its first Infiniti Center showroom in Ho Chi Minh City. Initially, Infiniti will introduce the full-size SUV QX80 and the iconic crossover QX70 to the Vietnamese market as customers will be able to enjoy the premium execution, the performance,and the craftsmanship brought by the Infiniti vehicles.

The Infiniti Center in Vietnam adopts the signature IREDI (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) design concept. It creates a highly distinctive, original Infiniti branded retail environment – the look and feel that aligns with Infiniti’s brand identity consistently around the world.

Today’s announcement marks the next step in Infiniti’s quest to transform itself into a global challenger brand. Infiniti earlier announced that the brand had achieved record global sales in the first half of 2014 by delivering more than 100,000 new vehicles around the world, up 30% compared with a year ago. It has broken monthly sales records globally in April, May and June this year and grew in 31 markets around the world, including key markets such as the US, China, Canada, Western Europe and the Middle East.

Infiniti is also making strong progress towards expanding its product portfolio. The brand’s vehicle lineup will increase by 60 percent over the next five years, and the number of engines and transmissions will more than double. By starting producing vehicles in China later this year, in the UK in 2015 and Mexico in 2017, Infiniti will extend its current manufacturing footprint from Japan and the U.S. to five countries on three continents in the next few years.