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Global sales drive performance

By Ian Rowley

Global sales drive performance

If only all of Ford's overseas investments could have worked out like Mazda. While Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover have been sold to raise funds, the Japanese carmaker goes from strength to strength. Mazda, in which Ford (F) owns a 34% stake, expects its sales to rise 9% this year, to just under 1.5 million vehicles. On July 31, the company reported that globally retail sales for the quarter ended on June 30 rose 11%. And in the U.S., despite a weak July, Mazda's sales are down only 1.7% during the first seven months of the year, outperforming the wider market. Meanwhile Mazda's lineup of cars, pepped up by models like the new Mazda6 sedan, which for the first time includes a specially designed U.S. version, is arguably as strong as it has ever been. In 2009, Mazda will also add a new fully remodeled version of its popular Mazda3 compact. Here's a look at some of the vehicles that show why Mazda is one of Ford's smarter moves: Mazda2 The fully remodeled Mazda2 miniwagon debuted in Europe and Japan (where it's called the Demio) last year. Despite high gas prices, strong reviews and solid sales, Mazda says the no plans yet for a U.S. launch.