OREANDA-NEWS. Mazda Group announced its consolidated results for the first six months (April-September) and the second quarter (July-September) of fiscal year (FY) 2014, ending March 31, 2015.

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 half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was 669 thousand units, up 6.0% year on year, with contribution from strong sales of "SKYACTIV" models such as all-new "Mazda Axela (called Mazda3 in overseas markets)" and "Mazda CX-5", which maintained solid sales, in global markets.

Retail volume by market was as follows. In Japan, retail volume was 90 thousand units, down 18.2% year on year, due to the effect caused by the recent changes in the consumption tax rate, etc. However, all-new "Mazda Demio (called Mazda2 in overseas markets)", which we introduced in September this year, has received recognition, being named the "2014-2015 Car of the Year Japan", and its orders are off to a strong start. In North America, retail volume was 226 thousand units, up 13.6% year on year mainly due to increased volume in the U.S., where in addition to the contribution of all-new "Mazda3", "CX-5" and "Mazda6 (called Mazda Atenza in Japan)" have maintained strong sales. In Mexico, we achieved record sales for the first six months.

In Europe, all-new "Mazda3" drove sales and sales in Germany and the United Kingdom far exceeded the growth of the industry. As a result, retail volume was 114 thousand units, up 18.4% year on year.

In China, retail volume was 94 thousand units, up 18.8% year on year, due to the strong sales of "CX-5" as well as commencement of the full-scale sales of all-new "Mazda3". In other markets, retail volume was 145 thousand units, down 1.1% year on year, mainly due to the influence of a decline in demand in Thailand.

Financial performance on a consolidated basis for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was as follows. Net sales amounted to JPN 1,453.9 billion, an increase of JPN 199.5 billion or 15.9% 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 104.0 billion, an increase of JPN 30.0 billion or 40.6% 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 107.1 billion, an increase of JPN 70.8 billion or 195.0% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

Net income amounted to JPN 93.3 billion, an increase of JPN 68.3 billion or 273.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

Financial results by reportable segment for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 was as follows. In Japan, net sales amounted to JPN 1,192.6 billion, an increase of JPN 141.7 billion or 13.5% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income (operating income) amounted to JPN 75.7 billion, an increase of JPN 7.1 billion or 10.4% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.

In North America, net sales amounted to JPN 570.3 billion, an increase of JPN 190.5 billion or 50.2% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income amounted to JPN 14.8 billion.

In Europe, net sales amounted to JPN 319.7 billion, an increase of JPN 79.4 billion or 33.0% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income amounted to JPN 6.3 billion, an increase of JPN 2.4 billion or 62.8% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year. In other areas, net sales amounted to JPN 222.5 billion, an increase of JPN 16.9 billion or 8.2% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, and segment income amounted to JPN 8.4 billion, an increase of JPN 6.0 billion or 254.5% compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.