With 4547 retail sales, Mazda was behind only Toyota, Holden and Ford in April, according to VFACTS.

Mazda Australia’s record April result – making it a clean sweep of record monthly performances this year – was up 7.2 per cent on the same time last year and good enough to secure 6.4 per cent market share.

The benchmark April sales extended Mazda Australia’s monthly year-on-year growth to 22 months.

Year-to-date Mazda has sold 18,414 vehicles, up 13.1 per cent on 2003 and has averaged an impressive 6.2 per cent share (6.0 per cent share last year).

The Mazda 3 continued to dominate Mazda sales with the all-new small sedan and hatch achieving its best result so far and passing 2000 sales for the second consecutive month.

In April the Mazda 3 range sold 2057 and once again the safety pack option on the Mazda 3 Neo proved popular with almost 32 per cent of Neo buyers opting for a car fitted with the additional side and curtain airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. These features are standard across the rest of the Mazda3 range.

With 894 sales the Mazda 6 retained its 19-month lead as the most popular import in the medium car market.

Other strong results were achieved by the Tribute 4WD wagon range (411), which from this month is now priced from $33,990 driveaway as a four-cylinder and from $35,990 driveaway as a V6.

The workhorse B Series range continued to benefit from Mazda’s Mates Rates campaign selling 486 vehicles, while the Mazda2 sold 358 and the RX-8 continued to outshine other sports cars with 141 sales.