Mazda Books 10 Pct Rise In First Semester Sales

Jakarta, July 17 (Antara) - Car distributor PT Mazda Motor Indonesia (MMI) said its first-semester car sales rose 10 percent to 4,843 units from 4,401 units in the same period last year. The increase was fueled by the sale of new models, All-New Mazda6 and New Mazda CX-5 2.5 L, and previous models like New Mazda2, MMI President Director Keizo Okue said here on Wednesday night. The sale rose significantly in the second quarter when the two new models were launched, he said. Compared to the same period last year, the sales in the April-June 2013 period increased 11 percent to 3,206, he said. "We believe the strong and consistent sale increase reflects the public`s improving trust and acceptance of our brands," he said. PT MMI has set a target of domestic car sales for this year at 16,000 units, well above the realized sale of 12,150 units last year. MMI senior marketing officer Astrid Ariani Wijana expressed optimism the target could be achieved at the end of this year. She said there was still hope to raise sales in the second semester in view of important momentum like Idul Fitri festivities and Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS). PT MMI is a subsidiary of Japan-based car manufacturer Mazda Motor Corporation.