Last month saw the brand’s car registrations rise 29.8% compared to May 2012 to 11,401 units in a European car market that shrunk by 5.9%, hitting its lowest level since 1993.

The brand is also showing positive gains year to date, with a 6.9% to 61,160 units. This compares to a 6.8% fall in the overall figure for Europe. Mazda’s European market share rose to 1.2% so far in 2013, up two-tenths from the previous year.

The brand has attributed the sales surge to its new Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 models and points to car registration figures for Germany, which show an overall 8.8% decline so far this year but a rise in year-on-year sales of the Mazda6 and CX-5 of 63.0% and 118% respectively between January and May. For the month of May on its own, the figures were +321% and +74%. Together, these two vehicles make up around half of all Mazdas newly registered in Germany to date in 2013.

The new-generation models feature the full range of lightweight SKYACTIV technology along with the company’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design.

‘The European automobile market has been difficult, to put it mildly, so it’s very encouraging to see our hard work bringing results,’ explained Phil J Warring, chief operating officer, Mazda Motor Europe. ‘Mazda has become profitable again, and the new SKYACTIV models in the pipeline should help us continue to boost sales and our bottom line on a sustainable basis.’