Leasing success for Mazda company cars

Mazda has seen sales to Britain's leading contract hire and leasing companies jump 20.9% in 2010 - a percentage gain significantly above that of a host of other brands including Audi, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Mazda's market share with more than 20 of the UK's largest contract hire and leasing companies increased by 14 percent in the first 10 months of 2010 to 2.5 percent, according to the latest analysis by Derwent Management Services.

Company car sales to contract hire and leasing companies total 3,633 vehicles to the end of October 2010 - up from 3,005 during the same period last year. It means that Mazda is ranked 12th of 36 brands among the most popular motor manufacturers supplying Britain's top leasing providers.

The Mazda6 is the marque's most popular with company car drivers taking delivery of their vehicles from contract hire and leasing companies.

According to the analysis in the first 10 months of 2010, Mazda supplied 2,360 models to leasing companies - up from 2,067 last year. It means that amongst its chief competitors, the Mazda6 is more popular than the likes of the Toyota Avensis, Renault Laguna, Honda Accord and Peugeot 407, although behind the Vauxhall Insignia, Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo.

The UK contract hire and leasing sector is a core supply channel for Mazda as it continues to look to increase company car business with end-user fleets and user-chooser drivers.

Mazda fleet and remarketing director Peter Allibon said: "The analysis shows that Mazda is closing the gap on some of the UK's most popular company car providers as some brands have seen their market share slip in 2010.

"Not only that, but among key rivals the Mazda6 is gaining momentum as demand for the Insignia, Passat and Mondeo has fallen in 2010, according to the leasing company data.

"While the Mazda6 hatchback and estate continues to lead the way for the brand in the fleet sector, demand for the Mazda3 and Mazda2 continues to increase."

Derwent Management Services' data reveals that in the first 10 months of 2010 sales of the Mazda3 to the leading contract hire and leasing companies totalled 680 units (2009: 254) with Mazda2 volume at 393 units (2009: 325).