Elara

There were 2,510 RX-8s sold in October. I don't have easy access to my email from this computer so I'll post the press release from Mazda when I get home (if someone hasn't beaten me to it by then).

Lock & Load

HEY 2510 cars sold in october heck we are only getting 950 rx8 for the whole year here in australia , but thats ok by me it makes mine more rare .

ELARA how are people responding to your green rx8??

Elara

They always think it's black or blue. I get a lot of compliments on it still, though, because people think it's such an unusual color

Here's the press release. Sorry the numbers are so misaligned.

__________________________________

Mazda's October Sales Skyrocket, Company Enjoys Strong Postings to Begin Fourth Quarter
PRN0000020031103dzb3006nt
503 Words
03 November 2003
21:38 GMT
PR Newswire
English
Copyright (c) 2003 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported sales of 21,781 units in October-a 52.3 percent increase versus the same period last year.

The company's strong month was led by its sporty Miata roadster, which posted a 30.2 percent increase in sales. In addition, Mazda reported sales of 5,046 units for its fun-to-drive Protege compact -- a sales increase of 18.6 percent -- as well as a 14.8 percent sales increase for its functional and stylish MPV minivan.

"We're extremely optimistic about the way Mazda is heading into the final quarter of 2003," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "With the strong return of consumer confidence and spending, coupled with the stellar products this company delivers, Mazda is poised to continue bolstering its sales as the year winds to a close."

Overall, Mazda's year-to-date sales total 216,489 units -- down 4.0 percent from last year.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.


Mazda Sales for October--2003

October October % October October %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change

PROTEGE 5,046 4,253 18.6% 61,067 73,079 -16.4%

Mazda3 12 0 N/A 12

626 15 1,681 -99.1% 1,620 36,364 -95.5%

Mazda6 6,194 0 N/A 51,160 0 N/A

MILLENIA 13 1,149 -98.9% 1,799 15,926 -88.7%

MIATA 926 711 30.2% 9,742 13,372 -27.1%

RX8 2,510 0 N/A 8,166 0 N/A

MPV 2,641 2,300 14.8% 26,204 29,980 -12.6%

MAZDA TRUCK 1,162 1,064 9.2% 13,094 18,332 -28.6%

TRIBUTE 3,262 3,139 3.9% 43,625 38,351 13.8%

Total Vehicles

CARS 14,716 7,794 88.8% 133,566 138,741 -3.7%

TRUCKS 7,065 6,503 8.6% 82,923 86,663 -4.3%

TOTAL 21,781 14,297 52.3% 216,489 225,404 -4.0%


MEMO:

IMPORT CAR 8,507 6,113 39.2% 80,786 102,377 -21.1%
IMPORT TRUCK 2,641 2,300 14.8% 26,204 29,980 -12.6%
IMPORT TOTAL 11,148 8,413 32.5% 106,990 132,357 -19.2%

DOMESTIC CAR 6,209 1,681 269.4% 52,780 36,364 45.1%
DOMESTIC TRUCK 4,424 4,203 5.3% 56,719 56,683 0.1%
DOMESTIC TOTALS 10,633 5,884 80.7% 109,499 93,047 17.7%


Web site: http://www.mazdausa.com/

CONTACT: Jeremy Barnes of Mazda North American Operations,+1-949-727-6844, or Kevin Twer of Mazda Information Bureau, +1-800-248-0459

mikeb

so they are just under par with these numbers for the 8 right?

Elara

Considering they want to sell about 30k a year, October sales were just about right on a per-month basis.

RussellP

i hope the car flops and becomes a rarity

i dont wanna see too many of em

mikeb

rotaries might die with it if that happens

RussellP

thats true, i take it back

RobDickinson

If this car fails thats the end or the wankel @ mazda.

Mazda HAVE to make money atm, and have to make great platforms for multip[le vehicles. The RX8 will be used in part from other MX and RX cars. But Ford dont have a big bankroll to cushon any mistakes anymore.

chinx

i remember reading somewhere that mazda would consider RX-8 a success if they sold 2000 units a month. is this legit or was i on crack when i read this?

but 2500 units is pretty good isn't it? considering the RX-8 is kind of a niche car and mazda's halo car. since they keep calling the 8 their "icon" i think as long as their car sales are up in general they'll be willing and able to invest resources on sports and niche cars...like toyota with their MR2, etc.

Elara

2500X12= 30,000 a year. That's right on target. Let's hope it stays like that, or goes up.

my10ae

I'm one of the 2,510 RX-8's sold in October. I picked up my baby on Oct 14th.

RotorBoy

How sad... I am one of the 13 Millenia. I must say I think it was a STEAL on a great car. I would love a 3 rotor Millenia with RWD, but the supercharged engine isn't too bad even with FWD. It has very little torque steer which was a pleasant suprise.

RotorBoy

I just noticed that 12 Mazda3's were sold in October. Correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think that the 3 had been released yet.

ChrisW

Exactly. As are the monthly numbers for Japanese sales at about 1300 (they plan to sell 15,000 a year in Japan).

I know from experience that sales forecasts for new products are not normally anywhere near that accurate. I suspect Mazda's original forecast of 60,000 vehicles a year (30,000 in the US) is also their production capacity for the 8 and they are now selling as many as they can make.

I think that means it's a success .

MrWigggles

October still isn't the best sales month for cars though is it?

The spring months are usually the best. So is October an average month or below average month in general?

-Mr. Wigggles

The Red One

Mazda's been doing good in terms of sale so far.

Elara

From September through December, vehicle sales are often much slower than the rest of the year, and 2003 hasn't been any exception. And October was a horrible month in terms of sales for most dealers, with the exception of a few- namely Mazda, Nissan, and Honda, with the other Japanese makers doing better than usual as well. The US automakers tanked.

Jhouse

i bought mine in october....whats the total Rx-8 sold this year so far?

cwerdna

Jhouse: 8,166 so far this year.

You can also get the press release at http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031103/lam136_1.html.

Also, one hint, if you ever wanna find an automaker's auto sales stats, the best way I've found (instead of digging all over the place on random automaker's sites, some not intuitive) is to go to http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/, then type [name of maker] sales. You'll usually find it.

BTW, those RX-8 sales numbers are pretty impressive compared to how many cars Mazda sales in a month. I own a 350Z, and well Nissan + Infiniti sold 68,046 cars last month. 2,724 of those were 350Zs vs. 2,510 RX-8s out of 21,781 cars.

-=Zeqs=-

October-December = Bad months to sell on average. Weather being a factor...rain and snow...can't really have fun with a sports car in the snow and the RX-8 looks great in black, but black looks crappy after it gets rained on. On top of that...people are spending their money preparing for the holidays. I have a feeling we'll be looking at significantly better figures around march - may, when families are plotting to buy for graduates, and the weather is just plain better for sports cars, due to the spirited roads being in optimum condition to tear through.

Omicron

Useful info, thanks!


Sounds like the RX-8 is holding it's own versus somewhat-comparable vehicles. :D

MyRxBad

iTrader: (1)

The 3's were released in Oct of this year. My friends bro. is picking his 3 up at the end of this Month.

pp13bnos

I did my best to help the slow month of November out. CJ

Ioman

Mazda had originally estimated 1000/mo RX8 sales in the US, so this is well over expectations.