Mazda Motor Corporation plans to sell 300,000 cars in China in 2010, compared with 134,000 in 2005, despite sluggish sales this year.

Global sales are expected to hit a record high in 2006 for the Japanese automaker, with profits reaching 148 billion yen, or 10 billion yuan (1.25 billion U.S. dollars), Robert J Graziano, vice president of Mazda, said in Beijing this week.

However, Mazda's performance in China this year contrasts with its global success. With only 101,000 cars sold in China in the first 10 months, this year's sales volume is likely to be down on last year.

The declining sales are attributed to fiercer market competition and the sudden disappearance of the Mazda 3, said Kiyoshi Ozaki, senior managing executive officer in charge of Mazda's China business.

Chongqing-based Chang'an Ford Mazda Corporation stopped producing the Mazda 3 for unknown reasons in April, only one month after the model was launched.

When the Mazda 3 rolls back into the market, its sales will drive the company's performance, said Kiyoshi Ozaki, adding that production has been resumed in the Chongqing-based plant.

He said that the sporty Mazda 5HB and Mazda Wagon - both introduced into the Chinese market this year - will also contribute to future sales growth.

Chang'an Ford Mazda Corporation is building another plant in Nanjing, in east China's Jiangsu Province, with a production capacity of 160,000 vehicles a year. Meanwhile, an adjacent engine factory will begin operation next year and will produce 350,000 engines annually.

Another five models will be introduced into China and manufactured locally in the next two years, said Robert J Graziano.

To reach the sales target, Mazda will gradually increase its output and strengthen its marketing networks in China, he said.

Source: Xinhua