Mazda UK boss Rob Lindley says he is “very disappointed” that some manufacturers have decided not to be at this week’s British International Motor Show in London.
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“It’s to nobody’s credit,” he said.
“The UK is a huge market, the third largest in Europe and really important for all of us,” he says. “London is the only motor show we have and it’s a crying shame not to support the local event.” For Mazda, the 2006 London show produced more inquiries from potential buyers than when the show was last held in Birmingham, notes Lindley, managing director of Mazda UK.
Significantly more of those inquiries were converted to sales, he points out, adding that it would appear that awareness of the show builds during the show itself. “That gives me some encouragement for the future of the London show,” he says.
“I hope those who have decided to stay away are proved wrong by the success of those who are there.”
He has revised his own full year sales forecast for 2008, down from 55,000 units to between 52 – 53,000 mainly because of the decision to pull out of some fleet business.
“The climate is very challenging but we musn’t be too gloomy or pessimistic. The retail market has declined month-by-month and there’s no obvious magic bullet so it’s about toughing it out this year,” he says.
From that point of view Mazda has been lucky to launch two new cars that meet the demands of buyers looking to downsize and buy more fuel efficient cars. Both the Mazda2 and Mazda6 fit that bill, says Lindley. “They’re exactly what people are looking for – stylish and fun to drive.
“Mazda2 has been a phenomenal success for us in that regard taking over 3% of its segment where the old car took 0.7%,” says Lindley.
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