Mazda celebrates 7 independent years in SA

Retail sales kicked off with a Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic 5dr as the very first vehicle to be sold during 2014 when Mazda re-invented itself after parting ways with Ford.

The first month of trading during 2014 saw 306 vehicles being retailed. Ever since, the most preferred exterior colour among our Mazda customers was, and still is, Mazda’s exclusive Soul Red Crystal. The most popular vehicle, in the 7 years of sales the Mazda CX-5, has sold 25 080 since its launch in 2014 locally.

Some of the proud moments in Mazda’s recent history locally, are:

• The celebration of Mazda’s 100th anniversary on 30 January 2020.
• Mazda Southern Africa introduced SKYACTIV Technology to the South African market in 2014, with the Mazda3, Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 being the first car lines to be launched with SKYACTIV Technology.
• In February 2017, Mazda launched a Mazda Lifetime Parts Warranty; an industry first in South Africa, where Mazda commits to repair or replace – at no cost to the owner - any part fitted as part of a retail repair that fails to perform its normal function for the lifetime of the vehicle being in possession of the owner.
• Another industry first was the announcement of Mazda’s 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 3-year unlimited kilometre service plan and 3-year unlimited kilometre roadside assistance on passenger vehicles.
• Mazda Southern Africa this year became first in the industry to sell Genuine Mazda parts for older vehicles on-line and directly to the public in partnership with Takealot. This platform went live in the first week of July 2021.
• The Mazda Southern Africa Foundation launched in November 2017. This non-profit organisation supports young children with education and employment skills development across a wide spectrum and with various partners such Buskaid, Viva Foundation, Khula Education, The Goodwork Foundation, Lessons in Conservation and others.

“An independent Mazda in Southern Africa has allowed us to re-establish and re-ignite the strong heritage and legacy that Mazda and its cars have always had in the South African market. The incredible product that Mazda Corporation continues to produce, and the amazing partnerships we have with our Dealer Partners and all our stakeholders, have made it possible to continuously grow the Mazda Brand since becoming independent seven years ago,” reckons Craig Roberts, MD of Mazda Southern Africa.

“We commend our Dealer Partners for the immense contribution they make in our business. They are seen as our customers – everything we do will focus on them being the centre of our operations, processes and interactions, enabling them to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers, our Mazda owners,” Craig says.