Shanghai (ZXZC)- Mazda said 22,886 consumers in China took delivery of its new vehicles in May, a remarkable year-on-year growth of 31.6%, according to the sales report offered by Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd.

The sales hike resulted from the double-digit growth in two joint venture's performances. FAW-Mazda saw its May deliveries surge 66.9% over a year ago to 10,280 units, and Changan Mazda handed over 12,606 vehicles, an upward movement of 12.3%.

(Mazda CX-4, photo source: FAW-Mazda)

The best-seller in May was still the Mazda3 Axela whose deliveries amounted to 8,545 units, 2,286 units more than that of the runner-up Mazda CX-4. In addition, there were 4,021 Mazda 6 Atenza cars and 3,682 Mazda CX-5 crossovers handed over to consumers.

With 76,328 vehicles delivered in total, the Japanese automaker posted a 12% decrease in year-to-date sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, versus the 23% decline in Jan.-Apr. volume. To be specific, retail sales of FAW Mazda and Changan Mazda reached 31,457 units (-2.4%) and 44,871 units (-17.7%) respectively.

FAW Group's independent business unit set for Mazda brand officially started operation on June 1, and it will take over the whole operational businesses of the Sino-Japanese brand from FAW Car Co., Ltd, according to the Chinese state-owned automaker.

In the meantime, Mazda's collaborative entity in FAW Group also changed from FAW Car to China First Automobile Co.,Ltd., a subsidiary 99.62% owned by FAW Group. Yang Dayong, former deputy general manager of FAW Car, has been named as the head of FAW's Mazda business unit.

Under the group's direct leadership, FAW-Mazda is expected to grow faster by virtue of higher management efficiency, more autonomy in decision making, stronger control of production quality and less pressure in gaining short-term profits.

(China-made Mazda CX-30, photo source: Changan Mazda)

In May, the China-made Mazda CX-30 officially hit the market with its guiding prices ranging from 129,900 yuan ($18,264) to 171,900 yuan ($24,170), according to Changan Mazda, which produces the CX-30. The crossover, similar in size to the Toyota C-HR and Honda XR-V, is fitted with Mazda's Skyactiv powertrain comprised of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.