Mazda said it boosted nine month operating profit 5% year on year to JPY107.1bn.
Sales were up 8% to JPY2,547.9bn and net income rose 6% to JPY84.6bn.
Global sales rose 2% to 1,186,000 units, a new record with the launch of the redesigned CX-5 and strong sales in China the main drivers.
Nonetheless, the automaker left its full year forecast of global sales of 1.6m units, up 3% year on year, operating profit of JPY150bn, up JPY24.3bn, and net income of JPY100bn, up JPY6.2bn, unchanged on revenue of JPY3,500bn, up JPY285.6bn.
Mazda said Chinese sales rose 8% to 245,000, a record for the period with 3 and CX-4 sales the main drivers and the new CX-5, launched in September, off to a strong start.
Currency exchange effects boosted operating profit JPY48bn and cost cuts contributed JPY10bn despite rising raw materials prices. This was offset by a JPY22bn hit from reduced wholesale volume and increased marketing expenses in the US and a JPY13.1bn hike in R&D expenses.

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