Mazda Sales (Thailand) expects its car sales to grow by 10% this year to 40,000 units, up from 35,000 units in 2021.
Mazda is positive about 2022 sales, expected to be driven by the slow recovery of the economy, said Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk, president of Mazda Sales (Thailand).
Last year Mazda expected to sell 40,000 cars in the domestic market but missed the target due mainly to lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, including a night-time curfew and temporary closure of shopping malls, except their supermarkets and drug stores.
The pandemic is still a risk factor for automakers this year, who are also keeping a close watch on the prolonged semiconductor shortage.
Mazda is among three car brands supplying cars to the compact sedan segment, known widely as C segment.
"Car sales in the Thai C segment usually stand at 20,000–30,000 units a year, with Mazda recording sales of around 3,000 units a year, making up a 10% market share," said Mr Chanchai.
The 5-door hatchback model has been the company's best-selling model until now.
Mazda also pins its hopes on sales of the Mazda 3 model.
The company has launched four generations of Mazda 3 so far. More than 30,000 units of the first-generation were sold between 2004 and 2011 while the second-generation model recorded sales of 15,000 units from 2011 to 2014.
In 2014, Mazda launched Skyactiv as the third generation. Its sales record until 2020 was 32,000 units.
Fourth-generation cars sold since the end of 2019 have been a great success, selling over 8,000 units so far.
