MAZDA is claiming its award-winning Mazda6 is outperforming the guides on the second-hand market, and is so popular with buyers that it is selling all used cars through its dealer network.

Mazda's fleet and remarketing director David McGonigle said: 'Dealer demand for the Mazda6 has been so strong that we have been able to sell every used model through our franchise network and have not had to resort to other disposal methods such as auction.'

According to the firm, the Mazda6, which has accounted for a third of its total sales of 23,400 so far this year, is outperforming the guides by two percentage points. Mazda cites average trade prices at 74.4% of recommended retail prices for 52-plate September to December 2002-registered cars, while September CAP Black Book rates the car at 72.5%.

McGonigle continued: 'A vital part of our new and used car marketing is brand image and strong residual values. We believe that by controlling the balance between new cars sold and used cars reaching our dealers, buyers in both sectors of the marketplace can be assured of value for money.

'Given the value predictions of a year ago, and the used car prices currently being achieved, we believe residual values will be higher than currently forecast.'

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