New Mazda Biante Minivan Sales Take Off in Japan

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).