OREANDA-NEWS. For the first half of the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2014, global retail volume of the Mazda Group increased by 3.0% year-over-year to 631 thousand units; mainly due to the strong sales of "Mazda CX-5" and all-new "Mazda Atenza (called Mazda6 in overseas markets)", both equipped with new generation technology, "SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY (hereinafter referred to as "SKYACTIV"), while there was a sign of tough sales environment in some emerging countries.

Retail volume by market was as follows. In Japan, despite the drop in total market demand on a year-over-year basis, retail volume increased by 0.9% year-over year to 111 thousand units, mainly due to the strong sales of SKYACTIV-equipped models such as all-new "Atenza". In North America, retail volume increased by 9.5% year-over year to 199 thousand units due to the sales increase mainly in U.S, where "CX-5" and all-new "Mazda6" were good in demand. In Europe, retail volume increased by 13.5% year-over year to 97 thousand units due to the strong sales in major countries like Germany and U.K. In China, retail volume decreased by 12.2% to 79 thousand units. In other areas, retail volume remained almost flat from the same period of the previous fiscal year to 145 thousand units through the high level of sales maintained in Australia, while the recession of demand in some countries adversely affected the sales.

As a result of increase in sales volume of the "SKYACTIV" models in global markets and ongoing cost improvements, as well as the correction of yen appreciation against major currencies, the consolidated financial results for the first half of the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2014 were as follows. Net sales increased by JPN 230.8 billion (up 22.6%) year-over-year to JPN 1,254.3 billion. Operating results increased by JPN 62.5 billion (up 544.5%) year-over-year to a profit of JPN 74.0 billion. Ordinary results increased by JPN 35.9 billion year-over-year to a profit of JPN 36.3 billion. Net results increased by JPN 19.2 billion (up 335.0%) year-over-year to a profit of JPN 25.0 billion.

Financial results by reportable segment for the first half of the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2014 were as follows. In Japan, net sales increased by JPN 178.3 billion (up 20.4%) year-over-year to JPN 1,050.9 billion and segment income (operating income) increased by JPN 36.7 billion (up 115.0%) to JPN 68.6 billion. In North America, net sales increased by JPN 84.7 billion (up 28.7 %) year-over-year to JPN 379.8 billion and segment loss (operating loss) amounted to JPN 2.5 billion. In Europe, net sales increased by JPN 96.9 billion (up 67.6%) year-over-year to JPN 240.3 billion and segment income (operating income) increased by JPN 3.5 billion to JPN 3.9 billion. In other areas, net sales increased by JPN 15.5 billion (up 8.1%) year-over-year to JPN 205.6 billion and segment income (operating income) decreased by JPN 6.2 billion (down 72.5%) year-over-year to JPN 2.4 billion.