SINCE the acquisition of the Mazda business in August 2001, Mazda Motors UK has seen a dramatic recovery in its sales performances, finishing the year with sales of 15,853 vehicles.

Under the new management, sales almost doubled between August and November when compared to the previous seven months. Mazda's fresh sales target for 2002 is 27,000. Between January and July, Mazda sold 7,678 vehicles and in the five months from August to December, 8,175 were sold, with November the first month the marque gained one per cent of the market since May of 2000.

The actions taken to aid the recovery of the marque began in August when the prices were reduced by an average of 10 per cent to improve the competitive proposition.

The range has been realigned with improved specification and fleet business has been restarted. During this year the new Mazda 6, will be launched. It will replace the 626.

Following the launch of the Mazda 6 range, the new RX-8 will arrive in the UK during 2003. The sports coupe will bring the spirit of the Mazda brand alive with a 250bhp, 1.3-litre rotary engine in a four-seater with none of the compromises usually found in coupes.

James Muir, managing director Mazda Motors UK, said: "We have been delighted with the progress that has been made since the acquisition of the business in August and the actions we have made to get the business back on track."