In its first month on sale the sporty, sleek and compact New Generation Mazda3 has boosted Mazda to the top of the small car sales tally for the second time this year.

According to April VFACTS figures Mazda sold 2,503 previous and New Generation Mazda3s last month making it the top-selling small car and second best-selling passenger vehicle in the country.

Mazda continues to swim against the tide of Australia’s softening economy, increasing its year-on-year market share by 0.54 percentage points to 8.7 percent.

So far this year Mazda Australia has sold 24,145 new cars and remains Australia’s favourite full-line vehicle importer. Last month Mazda notched up 985 more sales than its closest import rival.

Meanwhile Mazda’s stylish medium car Mazda6 is Australia’s import car of choice in the sub 60k Medium segment.

Managing director Doug Dickson says that in challenging times one thing is for certain: Australian new car buyers are attracted to cars that offer the best package at the best price.

“Now more than ever before Australians are spending their hard earned money wisely. New car buyers want top-notch features and state-of-the-art safety equipment in the best looking and best-priced package.

“With a great new look and standard features like Dynamic Stability Control and Satellite Navigation our New Generation Mazda3 delivers just that.

“For as long as we are launching cars with the same impressive value story, Australian new cars buyers will continue to place Mazda at the top of their shopping list.”

The New Generation Mazda3 flagship model, the Mazda3 MPS, will arrive in Australia around September.