Mazda confirms pre-COVID stock levels

Mazda has braved the ongoing new-vehicle supply storm and revealed itself to be one of the few brands with pre-COVID levels of stock, as most others grapple with extended delivery times, component shortages and equipment changes.

The one exception to this trend-bucking revelation is the Mazda MX-5 RF, buyers of which – as we’ve previously reported – face wait times of up to 18 months.

But the MX-5 is a long way from being the Zoom-Zoom brand’s best-selling model and with more stock arriving in Australian showrooms throughout this quarter, it seems Mazda is primed for something of a sales surge as other brands report 12-month-plus wait times and/or temporarily closing order books for some models.

A Mazda spokesperson said the BT-50, CX-3, CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9 are all in particularly good supply at the moment with minimal wait times, even before the upcoming Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs arrive.

“Mazda Australia is a priority for Mazda Corporation, and therefore in addition to our strong arrivals for Q1 2023, we expect healthy stock levels to remain for the full year,” they said.

The BT-50 is set to spearhead this sales surge, with Mazda executives recently telling carsales they’re targeting a 10 per cent upswing in sales this year (on 2022 levels), on the way to a portfolio-wide total of 100,000 units for 2023.

“Our opportunity to grow in the ute market absolutely exists and that’s where we’ll put as much effort as we can, assuming no [supply] disruptions,” managing director Vinesh Bhindi said.

“If this year we get appropriate supply on all the body styles we have on offer we see good opportunity.”

Fans of Mazda passenger cars will note the absence of the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6, from the list of vehicles in especially good supply, and may be wondering what the situation is with those models.

While your local dealer will provide you with a clearer understanding of wait times, Mazda head office has confirmed none of these models are in short supply – just that the models listed above are in better supply and therefore more readily available in specific grades and colours.

It's also a reflection of increasing Aussie consumer demand for SUVs and commercial vehicles.

“We recommend customers contact their local dealer for specific timings,” said Mazda.

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