FOLLOWING a disappointing year in 2001, prior to a change of ownership in August, Mazda has hit back in the first quarter of 2002 with sales up 50 per cent over the same period last year.

The success of the first three months sets the Japanese marque on course for its year-end target of 27,000 sales and raises sales back to one per cent of the UK market.

One of the most significant increases over last year is the Mazda MX-5 sports car.

The MX-5 was face-lifted in September, and following national TV advertising in January, the new model is 100 per cent up on the same period last year, outselling the MGF and is on course for an all-time record year.

Other significant increases in sales have been on the Mazda 323 up 30 per cent, the Mazda 626 up 86 per cent and the Premacy up 33 per cent.

The increase in sales follows a re-launch of the company under new ownership on August 1, 2001, when Mazda Motors UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mazda Corporation, took over sales, service and distribution of Mazda cars in the UK from previous importer MCL.