Shanghai (ZXZC)- Mazda faced a substantial year-on-year drop of 31.2% in April retail sales for its Chinese market. Last month, it delivered 16,919 vehicles in this country, the Japanese automaker announced on May 7.

Both two joint ventures posted negative growth in monthly sales. The April sales of FAW Mazda and Changan Mazda reached 6,379 units and 10,540 units, slumping 34.96% and 28.61% from the year-ago period.

(Photo source: www.mazda.com.cn) 

For the first four months, Mazda witnessed its China deliveries plunge 31.99% over a year ago to 69,385 units, among which FAW Mazda and Changan Mazda’s respective sales were 26,061 units (-37.13%) and 43,324 units (-28.48%).

The all-new Mazda Axela, which is expected to carry the engine powered by the second-generation “Skyactiv-X” technology, is scheduled to enter China’s market in 2019, according to local media outlets. Besides, this type of engine is likely to be locally produced by Mazda’s plant in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province. “We expect the all-new product to be released in China this year to gain good sales performance,” said Nobuhiko Watabe, Chairman of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd.

The Japanese carmaker recently saw a significant executive adjustment occurring to its joint venture with Changan Automobile. Hideaki Tanaka, former President of Changan Mazda, has left the company after 3-year tenure. His post is succeeded by Toru Nakajima, according to an announcement from the Sino-Japanese joint venture.

Changan Mazda said Mr. Nakajima’s participation will further energize the company with his global marketing vision and abundant sales experience.