Surging light and small car popularity has propelled Mazda to an all-time record first half sales total of 42,493, up 8.6 percent on the same time last year.

Mazda is on track to exceed its full year target of 80,000 new vehicle sales.

Mazda sold 7,524 new vehicles in June 2008, up 8.5 percent on June 2007. That’s just 41 vehicles shy of Mazda’s all-time monthly record of 7,565 set in March this year.

Mazda’s range of stylish, exciting and economical passenger cars, SUVs and light commercials continue to be a hit with consumers, and have driven Mazda to 18 monthly records in a row.

The last time Mazda Australia did not set a monthly record was in December 2006 and Kevin Rudd had just been confirmed as the leader of the opposition.

The stylish and economical Mazda2’s tally of 1,540 is an all-time record for the nameplate. It also a staggering 149 percent better than the June 2007 result of 618.

Mazda3’s June total of 3,284 is its third best month ever – an outstanding achievement for the popular small car, now in its fifth year of sale.

The Mazda3’s 17,458 year-to-date total makes it the third best-selling car in Australia.