Mazda expects the CX-5 to help boost Europe sales by 15%

The CX-5, pictured, became Mazda's No. 2 seller in Europe last year.

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FRANKFURT -- Mazda is counting on the better-than-expected success of its CX-5 crossover to help it boost sales in Europe by 15 percent in the coming fiscal year beginning April 1, Jeff Guyton, Mazda's Europe chief, told Automotive News Europe.

The automaker expects to sell 150,000 vehicles in Europe in this period, with sales of 200,000 units achievable in the mid-term, Guyton said.

''Response globally to the CX-5 has far exceeded our expectation. Our teams have been busy expanding capacity for CX-5, and we are aiming at 50,000 units in Europe in 2013.''

The crossover went on sale in Europe last March and is already the automaker's No. 2 seller in the region after the Mazda2 subcompact (see chart). It competes against models such as the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga, in the growing compact crossover segment.

Demand for the CX-5 has lead Mazda to revise its global sales target for the vehicle to 240,000 unit from 160,000 for the fiscal year 2012 ending March 31.

The crossover introduced the company's new 'Kodo' design philosophy and launched the next-generation engine, transmission, chassis and frame technologies, which Mazda refers to collectively as Skyactiv.

Earlier this month, the automaker launched the third generation of its flagship mid-size Mazda6 sedan, the second vehicle to feature Skyactiv. Mazda expects to sell 40,000 units of the Mazda6 in 2013, Guyton said.

Mazda sales in the EU and EFTA markets grew by 13.7 percent to 10,032 last month, according to industry association ACEA.

You can reach David Jolley at djolley@crain.com.

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