Mazda produced 608,784 cars in the first half of the year, a 7% rise over the same period in 2013.

Domestic production was up 3.5% at 479,456 units while overseas production rose 22% to 129,328.

Exports to Europe grew by 34.9% to 113,878 but fell 6.4% to 168,656 for North America and by 15.6% to 43,207 for the Oceania region.

Exports were led by strong demand for the CX-5 crossover, up 17.4% year-on-year at more than 140,000 units.