Mazda News

[mts]

Mazda Reports Record Profits For Fiscal Year 2005

 

- Mazda forecasts sixth consecutive year of profit increases for 2006-

 

 

 

FY2005 Consolidated Full Year Highlights:

- Operating profit up 49 percent to record 123.4 billion yen

- Net income increases 46 percent to a best ever 66.7 billion yen

- Annual dividend up 2 yen to 5 yen per share

 

FY2006 Projection Highlights:

- Operating profit forecast to increase by nine percent to 135 billion yen

- Net income expected to increase by 12 percent to 75 billion yen

 

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its best ever financial results for fiscal year (FY) 2005. Consolidated operating profit in FY2005 exceeded last year's record results by 49 percent, reaching 123.4 billion yen. Consolidated wholesales increased by four percent and consolidated revenue increased by eight percent to 2,919.8 billion yen. Net income rose 46 percent to a best ever 66.7 billion yen.

 

The record operating profits in FY2005 were attributed to further global sales growth, assisted by new model introductions, Mazda's continued efforts to reduce costs and more favorable exchange rates. Mazda achieved two Mazda Momentum mid-term plan goals, namely over 100 billion yen in operating profit and a net-debt-to-equity ratio of less than one hundred percent, one year earlier than projected.

 

Mazda forecasts further growth in FY2006, notably in North America, Europe and China. Operating profit is forecast to increase by nine percent to 135 billion yen and net income is expected to increase by 12 percent to 75 billion yen.

 

" In FY2006, we intend to stay on course, further improving our operating results and continuing to build the Mazda brand globally with new, market-focused products," said Mazda Representative Director and Chief Financial Officer Gideon Wolthers.

 

Financial Results for FY2005

Consolidated revenue for FY2005 was 2,919.8 billion yen, a year-over-year increase of 224.2 billion yen. Operating profit was 123.4 billion yen, a rise of 40.5 billion yen and ordinary profit was 101.5 billion yen, up 28.4 billion yen from year-ago levels. Net income was 66.7 billion yen, an increase of 20.9 billion over last year.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow in FY2005 was 33.6 billion yen, consisting of Operating Cash Flow of 114.6 billion yen less investments of 81 billion yen. Mazda's net debt was reduced by 66.7 billion yen during FY2005 and now stands at 246.8 billion yen. The company's net debt-to-equity ratio is now 62 percent, down 55 points from the previous year.

 

Mazda plans to increase its annual dividend to 5 yen per share, up 2 yen from FY2004.

 

Financial Projections for FY2006

For fiscal 2006, Mazda forecasts sales revenue to reach 3,100 billion yen, an increase of 180.2 billion yen over FY2005. Operating profit is projected to climb 11.6 billion yen to 135 billion yen and net income is forecast to grow by 12 percent to 75 billion yen.

 

Global vehicle wholesales are projected to grow five percent to 1,210,000 units in FY 2006. Mazda's product-led growth is anticipated to continue with the recent launch of the all-new MPV in Japan, the Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 in North America and full availability of new diesel models in Europe.

 

Shipments volume: 1,210,000 units, up 5 percent

Sales revenue: 3,100 billion yen, up 6 percent

Operating profit: 135 billion yen, up 9 percent

Ordinary profit: 130 billion yen, up 28 percent

Net income: 75 billion yen, up 12 percent.

[mts]

Partnership Among Mazda, Ford and Changan in China Makes Another Major Step Forward

 

- With Mazda's Investment in Changan Ford, the Restructured Company is renamed as Changan Ford Mazda -

 

HIROSHIMA, Japan, April 4, 2006 - Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) announced today that the Chinese government has approved Mazda's investment in Changan Ford Automobile Co.,Ltd. (Changan Ford), the joint venture between Changan and Ford. The restructured company has been renamed as Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co.,Ltd.(CFMA). With the completion of the investment fund transfer, this equity restructuring marks another major step forward in the three-party partnership in China, following the three parties' joint announcement on the commencement of the production of Mazda3 in Changan Ford's Chongqing Plant on February 27, 2006

 

Changan, Ford and Mazda hold 50 percent, 35 percent and 15 percent shares in CFMA, respectively. The 15 percent shares owned by Mazda in CFMA were transferred by Ford from the company's 50 percent shareholding originally held in Changan Ford.

 

"We are pleased that Mazda's investment in Changan Ford was completed smoothly. With this movement, the fundamentals of cooperation among Mazda, Ford and Changan will be further strengthened, and the progress of the three-party joint projects in Chongqing and Nanjing will surely be accelerated. Moreover, this will also expand the possibility of further cooperation among the partners," said Mr. Kiyoshi Ozaki, Mazda's Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of Mazda's China business strategy. "We believe that the three-party joint venture has built a sound foundation for Mazda to achieve our mid-term goal of producing and selling 300,000 units in the Chinese market by 2010. This would not be possible without the great support of Chinese government and each partner in China, which I deeply appreciate."

 

"The equity restructuring of Changan Ford has lifted the partnership among Ford, Mazda and Changan in China to a closer and more substantial stage," said Mei Wei Cheng, Chairman & CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd.. "I have no doubt that the three-party joint venture CFMA will fully combine the advantageous resources of three parties so as to provide more new and exciting products to Chinese customers. I also strongly believe the company will grow fast to become one of the top tier auto manufacturers in China."

 

"The restructuring of Changan Ford with Mazda's participation is the result of joint efforts and great partnership of Changan, Ford and Mazda. This shows the three parties have entered into a new stage of cooperation in terms of brand, technology, marketing, and resources sharing, " said Yin Jiaxu, Deputy General Manager of China South Industries Group Corp., Chairman of Changan Automotive Group as well as Changan Ford. "Changan will further its cooperation with Ford and Mazda in order to deliver high quality products to meet customer needs. Meanwhile, Changan will work closely with its partners to build up a brand new model of operation to maximize each party's benefits. "

 

The long-term, strategic partnership among Mazda, Ford and Changan in China has been developing fast over the past two years. The three parties are jointly building a brand new vehicle assembly plant in Nanjing, the second manufacturing base of CFMA, which is able to produce both Mazda and Ford brand cars. The operation of the Nanjing assembly plant is expected in 2007, with an initial annual capacity of 160,000 units. The three parties are also jointly expanding the capacity of the Chongqing plant of CFMA, which now claims an annual capacity of 150,000 units, and will be further expanded to 200,000 units by May this year. Part of the expanded capacity in Chongqing is being used for the production of Mazda3. Adjacent to the Nanjing assembly plant is the three-party joint venture Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., which is being constructed and will be operational in 2007. The engine company is also able to produce world-class engine products of both Ford and Mazda brands, which are expected to supply to the three parties' vehicle assembly operations in China.

[///BHRpowered]

I read these numbers last month, quite impressive, the new miata, mazdaspeed6, and addition of the 5 (regardless of how ugly it is) is helping out alot. I must say Im concerned about having any involvment in china or there cars

[latinopikachu]

same here

[mts]

Sorry BHR, just reporting the news

 

 

 

 

One car company has been introducing us to its feminine side

 

Mazda has shown it's the exception to the rule that the car industry is dominated by men.

 

 

A special Women at Mazda Day showcased women in key positions, who are bringing a new dimension to car design.

 

 

They have already helped to create the Sassou concept car and other new models for the Japanese manufacturer, which sells 300,000 cars a year in Europe.

 

The Sassou, described as an iPod on wheels because of its amazing electronic devices, stuns with its lighting effects. It was inspired by Japanese Shoji rice-paper doors that partly hide what is behind them.

 

Maria Greger, senior designer of colour and trim at the Mazda Europe design centre in Germany, studied textile design and worked in the fashion and furniture fabric industry before joining Mazda more than 10 years ago.

 

She loves doing design work for cars because, she says, the car is a complete concept in itself.

 

"When I worked for fabric suppliers, I always used to look into cars to see what their interiors were like," says Maria, an elegant 49-year-old.

 

"My boyfriend used to tell me not to do it because people would think I was planning on stealing from the cars. I used to look to see if there was good colour combination and at the quality of the materials used. It is always exciting to look into cars."

 

Her good taste is reflected in her input in the design of the interior of the Sassou, a model aimed at city singletons and first shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

 

"We see the interior material as a T-shirt fabric, which will appeal to young people - and to all of us who wear T-shirts," says Maria.

 

She selected a fashionable, sporty petrol-grey colour for some interior surfaces to accentuate the Sassou's light, aerodynamic feel.

 

Working alongside Maria is young mum Luciana Silvares, aged 34, who says women are aware of colour, trends and new ways of development.

 

She points out the Sassou's surprising dashboard, which lights up when the car engine is turned on.

 

"The car reacts as a living being," she says

 

Mum-to-be Michaela Volk, also 34, whose fluent Japanese is a huge asset, works in advanced technology and engineering, looking for ideas to make a car easier to use and safer.

 

"Researching ways to improve security is what I like most about my job," she says.

 

"Lots of cars are stolen in England and the requirements of insurance companies on the car industry are quite tough. Security is a major issue in the UK, more important than in any other European country."

 

As a woman driver, Michaela says she know what she likes and doesn't like about cars.

 

"What I don't like about cars is they have far too many electronic bits, with far too many functions which I would never use. I'd like it to be mechanical, but I think what will happen is the electronics will become more reliable."

 

Petra Schulze-Pieper, aged 43, began her career with Opel - Vauxhall's sister company in Germany - 20 years ago as a design modeller, working in clay. She was the first and only woman in the team until the day she left.

 

She joined Mazda as senior modeller nine years ago but nowadays works in the consumer insights department, researching what people want in a car.

 

A turning point in her career was when she led the team which planned the new Mazda6 MPS, a sporty saloon.

 

"We believe the time when customers were classified according to gender, age, income levels is over. Now mindset, lifestyle, the way people live and the car they dream of is more important," says Petra.

 

"The car needs to serve a lot of different needs, apart from being just a transportation tool. The car provides a very, very deep set of emotions. It is a natural human desire to have a feeling of mobility and flexibility.

 

"As we spend more and more time in the car, the environment and interior are more and more important.

 

"Customers tell us they have a busy life with their profession and family and the minutes they may spend in their car is their time. They put on their music and it is their own space. So a car expresses their own individuality".

[mts]

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