Mazda to Start Sales in Cambodia

Mazda Motor Corp. aims to begin selling vehicles in Cambodia as early as this year, The Nikkei reports without citing its sources.

The Japanese newspaper notes that entering the Cambodian market will help Mazda reach its goal of boosting sales in the Assn. of Southeast Asia Nations 50% to 150,000 vehicles by 2015.

With Cambodia, the company will have operations in all 10 ASEAN member countries except Myanmar.

Mazda will work with Phnom Penh-based partner HGB Auto Co. to distribute the vehicles, according to The Nikkei. It says HGB is already taking preorders and aims to open its first Mazda dealership in the Cambodian capitol later this year.

The carmaker is expected to export the CX-5 and CX-9 crossover vehicles and the Mazda6 sedan from its factories in Japan, the newspaper adds. The Mazda3 subcompact and BT-50 pickup truck will be shipped from Mazda's joint venture with Ford Motor Co. in Thailand.

Online newspaper VietNamNet says Mazda's Vietnamese plant also will start exporting a small number of vehicles to Cambodia this year.