All-new Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 boost corporate sales
- Low emission, fuel-sipping models appeal to fleets
- Mazda models on more fleet choice lists
Compiling company car choice lists around low emission, fuel-sipping models is an agenda-topping issue for fleet decision-makers as they strive to cut costs, which is why Mazda, with its SKYACTIV technology model range, initially introduced on the Mazda CX-5, followed by the fleet best-selling Mazda6 and this year on the all-new Mazda3, continues to secure an increasing share of the corporate market.
The benefits of SKYACTIV technology are many and varied, but the core attributes are low CO2 emissions delivering cash-saving benefit-in-kind tax opportunities to company car drivers and first class fuel economy.
Furthermore, the SKYACTIV technology benefits extend to also include improved aerodynamics, vehicle weight reduction, chassis developments and new manual and automatic transmissions.
That complete package has combined to deliver year-on-year fleet sales growth for Mazda in 2013/14 of 80 per cent as an increasing number of fleet managers and company car drivers turn to the brand.
Chris Stableford, Mazda’s National Fleet Sales Manager, speaking at the recent annual Fleet Show at Silverstone: “Fleet operators and company car drivers alike are looking to save money and SKYACTIV technology in the all-new Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 enables them to do just that.”
Both the all-new Mazda3 and Mazda6 ranges feature the 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D 150ps engine, which is Euro6 emission compliant and returns an unbeatable combination of performance and economy from the available power of up to 72.4mpg (Combined) with emissions from just 104g/km*.
As all motoring taxes are linked to a model’s CO2 emissions it means that company car benefit-in-kind tax on the all-new Mazda3 model is from just £44 a month for a basic rate taxpayer, while on the Mazda6 it is from £59 a month.
Turning to the Mazda CX-5 and powered by the same 2.2-litre 150ps diesel engine mated to 2WD it returns up to 61.4mpg and emissions from 119g/km, which outclasses models from rival marques. Benefit-in-kind tax is from £71 a month.
West Midlands-based contract hire and leasing company Fleet Hire operates almost 7,000 vehicles and relationship director Joe Bryan says customer demand for Mazda models was rising.
He said: “Fleet demand is increasing and Mazda is finding its way onto more company car choice lists because of its introduction of SKYACTIV technology and the twin benefits available of excellent MPG and low benefit-in-kind tax bills.”
Bryan tested the Mazda CX-5 diesel as a possible replacement for his own company car, a BMW 320d, at the Fleet Show and said: “Last year I had a Mazda6 SKYACTIV on long-term demonstration for four months and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“But the Mazda CX-5 better suits my current requirements. It handled very well, was very comfortable and has plenty of power. A benefit-in-kind tax bill from £71 a month for the Mazda CX-5 is very attractive and the MPG is very good beating the return I am getting from my current car despite being a bigger and heavier vehicle,” concluded Bryan.
