Mazda has set a new April benchmark thanks to the arrival of the Next-Gen Mazda CX-5, an upgrade to the Mazda2 and the continued popularity of its SUV and passenger car range.

According to VFACTS figures released today, 8,630 Mazdas were sold in April giving Mazda a 10.4 per cent market share, with numbers for the month up 2 per cent YOY.

In annual sales YTD, Mazda has sold 39,092 vehicles for a 10.8 per cent slice of the Australian new car market, and sales are up YOY – one of the few volume sellers to achieve this. The nation's second most popular car maker, Mazda is Australia's leading full-line import brand.

In what is traditionally a softer month for the industry, it was Mazda's SUV range that led the way with 4,000 (46 per cent) April sales, compared to the 3,599 (42 per cent) retails snapped up by passenger car buyers.

The arrival of the Next-Gen Mazda CX-5 caused a showroom frenzy with an April record 2,166 sales. Showing that early adopters prefer high grade models; Touring, GT and Akera variants accounted for 42 per cent of the CX-5's April sales tally, well up from the 27 per cent January to March average. Mazda CX-5 is the country's most popular SUV.

Brand-New Mazda CX-9 also continues to attract large SUV customers with 639 finding homes last month – also an April record. With its 2,953 YTD sales eclipsing the previous best of 1,902 set in 2008, Mazda CX-9 is having its best start to a year ever.

In run-out ahead of the arrival of the updated model on May 12, Australia's favourite small SUV - the Mazda CX-3 - had 1,195 sales last month.

In comparison, Mazda's best-selling Mazda3 posted 2,313 April sales, the recently re-launched Mazda2 – which boasts more standard safety across the range compared to any of its competitors -had 870 sales, while Mazda6, the nation's favourite mid-sized import under $60,000, enjoyed 292 registrations.

Mazda also sold 1,031 BT-50s and the Mazda MX-5 - now available with a retractable hard top - accounted for 124 sales.

Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi said: "We are very happy with our April performance and it's always gratifying when a new record is set. We launched the Next-Gen Mazda CX-5 at the end of March and it enjoyed its best April ever with customers obviously taken by its premium styling, safety technology and quiet drive. We also launched Mazda2 last month, which features safety like Smart City Brake Support that is now standard across the range. Our focus now turns to the end of the financial year, with deals being offered on BT-50, Mazda6 and Mazda3 – which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year - and the run out of Mazda CX-3 ahead of its May 12 update. There is certainly something for everyone."