Mazda's sales fall

Mazda Motor Corp Wednesday said February sales fell 29 percent year on year in China to 9,033 units after government stimulus on small cars expired.

Japan's third-largest auto maker said the sluggish sales last month led to an 8 percent sales decline for the first two months in China, totaling at 29,074 units, its statement said.

Takashi Yamanouchi, CEO of Mazda China, blamed the sales drop to the expiration of incentives on small cars and restrictions on car licenses in Beijing.

Changan Ford Mazda, which turned out Mazda 3 and Mazda 2, reported a 17 percent sales slump last month to 10,531 units while another venture, FAW Mazda, sold 18,543 cars, down 2 percent from the same period last year.

The car maker said it plans to offer more discounts starting this month to combat the sales drop.