Mazda Opens More Dealers In Europe Than Ever Before

Philip Waring At Romford Mazda

Mazda Motor Europe is appointing more new dealers this year than ever before.

Mazda is continuously attracting new dealers across Europe, with numbers joining the franchise doubling each year. Mazda appointed 28 new dealers in 2007 and 56 in 2008. The company is on track to recruit more than 100 new dealers in 2009 after appointing 25 in the first quarter of the year. This will represent a 5 percent increase in Mazda's European network, which currently numbers 2,000 dealers.

Thanks to the success of its young product lineup including the Mazda2 small car, the Mazda6 medium sized car and the all-new Mazda3 compact car, the company and its dealers have increased market share in Europe from 0.9 percent in 2001 to 1.6 percent in 2008.

"We are more and more a franchise of choice for dealers across Europe, with some of the best retailers in the business," says Philip Waring, Chief Operating Officer of Mazda Motor Europe. "A great dealer network gives us a competitive advantage to sell more cars. We don't sell cars ourselves, our dealer partners do."

Mazda is increasing its representation across Europe in both rural and city centre locations. The company is recruiting entrepreneurial dealers and newcomers who have previous experience of the auto retail sector and who would like to run a Mazda franchise.

Mazda emphasizes reasonable, cost efficient standards and facilities. "We make life simple for our dealers" adds Waring. "We don't demand huge investments in facilities or an enormous administrative burden."

The company has recently signed new financing agreements with banking partners across Europe to provide industry leading financing for dealer inventory and retail customers.

Mazda wants its dealers to enjoy working with the company. Waring says: "We want to be easy to do business with and help dealers achieve a better return on investment."