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Mazda’s 127 dealer partners are to face their busiest ever year this year and need to make sure that they are fully prepared to take advantage, says Mazda UK managing director Jeremy Thomson (pictured).

With three all-new models (Mazda2, CX-3 crossover SUV and MX-5) and two major upgrades (Mazda6 and the CX-5) launched in a little over six months, dealers can expect to be busier than ever and need to make sure that they have the resources they need, he said.

Dealer profitability improved throughout 2014, said Thomson, adding “those who get it right in 2015 will be even better rewarded.”

“There’s the chance for an exceptional year if they approach next year’s planning in the right way, looking carefully at launch budgets, staffing levels – both in the showroom and workshops – and marketing plans. There’s never been a better opportunity.

“We said we would deliver 20% sales growth in 2014 and we have. For 2015 we’re going to see sales grow by another 10%, taking us to around 45,000 sales and a market share of 1.8% in what is predicted to be a relatively flat market,” said Thomson.