Mazda UK is reporting that it achieved more than 19,000 fleet sales in 2015 – a 22 per cent year-on-year increase. Now it is hoping the new 99g/km diesel-engined Mazda3 1.5 SKYACTIV-D will further strengthen its position in this market in 2016. Mazda’s best fleet seller in 2015 was the Mazda6 at 5,590 units.

Mazda UK’s Head of Fleet, Steve Tomlinson, said: “Heading into 2016 I am very happy with Mazda’s position within the UK fleet market and putting the 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D into the Mazda3 will significantly increase the appeal of the Mazda3 to those fleets who prefer their drivers to run vehicles with a sub 2.0-litre engine. With CO2 emissions from 99g/km this will make the car more popular with drivers who place low BIK (benefit in kind) taxation near the top of their consideration criteria. I’m confident that the addition of the Mazda3 1.5-litre diesel derivative to Mazda’s already extensive corporate vehicle choice list will enhance our fleet appeal even further.”

“On top of that I’m sure it’ll open doors to fleets that were previously closed to us. In a UK marketplace that now sees 42 per cent of C-segment diesel sales delivering sub 100g/km CO2 emissions, fitting our 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D engine into the Mazda3 is great for potential fleet sales growth in this sector,” said Tomlinson.