Since the showroom launch on 8 September buyers have snapped up 1,600 units of the second generation model, 150 per cent of the target objective, Mazda UK claimed.

Speaking to Motor Trader at the launch of the Mazda6, Mazda UK's Fleet & Remarketing director James Hopkins said that high expectations for the Mazda2 had been greatly exceeded. “Our order take is very strong and the future looks very rosy for this car,” he added. Hopkins also revealed that any hopes Mazda had of building a fleet presence for the Mazda2 had been postponed because at present every model was required for a retail customer. The brand is now focusing on its best-selling fleet model the new Mazda6, the launch of which next month will coincide with a programme to improve the efficiency of dealer fleet departments.