OREANDA-NEWS. The Mazda Group has pressed forward with the global expansion of sales of vehicles with its new generation technology, "SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY" (hereinafter referred to as "SKYACTIV"), and has strove to maximize customer satisfaction through Mazda unique and attractive products and services, so as to improve its earnings structure by the realization of both growth in sales volume and right-price sales.

Global retail volume for the first three months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was 319 thousand units, up 6.2% year on year, owing to the ongoing strong sales of "Mazda CX-5" and "Mazda Atenza (called Mazda6 in overseas markets)" as well as commencement of the full-scale sales of all-new "Mazda Axela (calledMazda3 in overseas markets)" in global markets.

Retail volume by market was as follows. In Japan, retail volume was 40 thousand units, down 21.5% year on year, due to the effect of the decline in demand caused by the recent changes in the consumption tax rate, etc. In North America, retail volume was 110 thousand units, up 16.1% year on year with increased volume in the U.S., where all-new "Mazda3" and "CX-5" is good in demand, and record sales in Mexico. In Europe, all-new

"Mazda3" and "CX-5" drove sales and sales in Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom were increased. As a result, retail volume was 56 thousand units, up 23.4% year on year. In China, retail volume was 44 thousand units, up 17.5% year on year, due to the strong sales of the locally manufactured "CX-5". In other markets, retail volume was 69 thousand units, down 4.0% year on year, due to the influence of a decline in demand in Thailand, where the political uncertainty has continued.

Financial performance on a consolidated basis for the first three months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was as follows. Net sales amounted to JPN 705.6 billion, an increase of ?89.8 billion or 14.6% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, owing to increasing sales of "SKYACTIV" models in global markets.

Operating income amounted to JPN 56.4 billion, an increase of JPN 19.9 billion or 54.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, owing to improvements in volume and product mix as well as ongoing costs improvement through Monotsukuri Innovation. Ordinary income amounted to JPN 54.6 billion, an increase of JPN 46.2 billion or 550.0% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

Net income amounted to JPN 48.9 billion, an increase of JPN 43.4 billion or 795.8% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

Financial results by reportable segment for the first three months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was as follows. In Japan, net sales amounted to JPN 575.5 billion, an increase of JPN 68.2 billion or 13.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income (operating income) amounted to JPN 42.4 billion, an increase of JPN 15.5 billion or 57.5% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

In North America, net sales amounted to JPN 273.8 billion, an increase of JPN 78.4 billion or 40.1% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income (operating income) amounted to JPN 4.2 billion, an increase of JPN 3.1 billion or 288.6% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

In Europe, net sales amounted to JPN 149.5 billion, an increase of JPN 38.0 billion or 34.1% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income (operating income) amounted to JPN 2.8 billion, an increase of ?0.5 billion or 21.5% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

In other areas, net sales amounted to JPN 106.6 billion, a decrease of JPN 0.5 billion or 0.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income (operating income) amounted to JPN 3.9 billion, an increase of JPN 1.2 billion or 47.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.