Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that orders
for the new Mazda Biante minivan were more than double the sales target
in its first month of sales. Orders have surpassed 6,000 units since
the Biante was launched in Japan on July 8, 2008.

Mazda Biante 20S
(FWD model with 2.0-liter direct injection engine, five-speed automatic transmission and factory-installed options)
To
date, 90 percent of orders have been for models equipped with the
2.0-liter direct injection engine. Approximately 65 percent of
customers have opted for the 20S grade, followed by 26 percent who
chose the 20CS grade and 9 percent who selected the 23S. While most
customers who selected the Biante have families and are in their 30s
and 40s, orders have been placed by a wide range of people. Customer
feedback indicates that the main reasons for choosing the Biante are
its exterior design, spacious interior*1 and quiet cabin.
The flexible seat arrangements that include a ‘living mode’ (which
enables the seats to be adjusted backwards to maximize interior space),
the excellent dynamic stability, and the Biante’s affordability (due to
regular gasoline being the recommended fuel*2) were also highlighted.
The
most popular exterior colors have been the featured Lilac Silver
Metallic, Brilliant Black and Crystal White Pearl Mica, which together
make up 70 percent of orders. The most preferred factory-installed
options have been the power sliding doors with leather-wrapped steering
wheel and shift knob, selected by 90 percent of customers; the Clean
Air package*3, chosen by 70 percent of customers; and the Comfort package*4, chosen by 60 percent of customers.
Mazda’s
senior managing executive officer in charge of Domestic Business and
Customer Service, Masazumi Wakayama, said, “Mazda has waited for the
optimal time to launch the Biante, and we are extremely pleased that it
has attracted so many orders. We expect that its popularity will
continue and this will have a positive impact on our overall sales
results in Japan.”
| *1: |
The
most interior space in the 2.0-liter to 2.3-liter engine minivan class
(3 rows of seats, domestically manufactured passenger vehicle) based on
cabin length, height and width. According to a survey conducted by
Mazda in June 2008. |
| *2: |
Includes all grades with the 2.0-liter engine (not the 23S). |
| *3: |
Includes
nanoe ion and Alleru [Allergy] Buster air filter, a ceiling-mounted
deodorizer and a rear heater. ‘Nanoe’ is a trademark of Matsushita
Electric Works, Ltd. ‘Alleru Buster’ is a trademark of Matsushita
Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. |
| *4: |
Includes
the Advanced keyless entry and engine starter system, Mazda’s
auto-light system (which switches the headlights on automatically
according to ambient light conditions), rain-sensing windshield wipers
and water-repellent coating (on the windshield, front windows and door
mirrors). |