Mazda3 Hits 3 Million Mark

Seven years and ten months after the first Mazda3 rolled off the factory floor, it has become the fastest selling car in Mazda's history.

The Mazda3 generates more than 30% of our total sales.

Senior managing executive officer of research and development at Mazda, Hirotaka Kanazawa, recently spoke about the milestone in a recent report. He said,

“The Mazda3 embodies all three elements of Mazda’s DNA: Distinctive Design, Exceptional Functionality, and Responsive Handling and Driving Performance. Its sustained global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s mainstay model, and it now comprises a third of all Mazda vehicle sales.

“As we celebrate reaching three million units, I would like to thank the millions of Mazda3 customers for their support and reaffirm Mazda’s commitment to delivering outstanding environmental and safety performance balanced with driving pleasure that goes beyond your expectations.”

Meet Airyn Simpson Our eBay Sales Expert

We are having a lot of fun on eBay right now and you guys should join us over there if you are looking to sell or buy a used car.

Here is the link to our page: Just click here.

Sometimes things just work out... like when we decide to commit to a new cool way to do business (eBay) and then discover the perfect person to do it really well.

Airyn Simpson has gone from Sales Assistant to Resident eBay expert in a matter of days for one reason only: She will do whatever it takes to match a person with the car they are seeking.

Want a story? Here's one from yesterday...

She was asked about a particular part located on the underside of a vehicle we had on eBay. The buyer was curious about its condition. So Airyn told him to wait a few minutes and she would call him back.

So she goes outside, finds the car, CLIMBS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, and snaps a photo of the particular part.

She took the picture on her phone so she could then send it directly to the customer.

How cool is that?

ALOT of companies say they will do whatever it takes to service a customer but very few are really willing to literally get down and dirty to do it. And that is because it takes special folks like Airyn to make that happen.

Thanks Airyn for all you do for our customers and for being such a special member of The OC Auto Team!

The Mazda Family Congratulates John Patterson

...for being named as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Orange County!

If you click on the image below, it will enlarge it.

Cool Mazda3 Review

Last time we checked, we had over 100 Mazda3s on the lot!

What We Can Promise You at The OC Auto Team

So why would you want to work at a car dealer anyway?

Isn't it a lot of pressure and not a lot of fun?

Well, we don't see it that way and a lot of companies say this, but we really mean it:

We're a team at The OC Auto Team.

OK, easy to say... but what does that mean?

It means we believe in coming together to do GREAT things.

Not easy things, not simple things, not even good things...GREAT things.

Because nobody can do anything great alone.

So we strive to achieve great things by making four promises to our customers and teammates.

1. Provide every customer with ENGAGED TEAM MEMBERS. Team members that will listen to you, communicate honestly and treat you with respect. We expect our teammates to do the same for each other.

2. Create a loyalty experience for the customer. Make the visiting experience a memorable one, one that makes you feel good..so good that you will want to share it with others. We will work hard to earn the customer's loyalty and we will create a workplace that builds loyalty among the members of our team. We know it's a two-way street. That your loyalty depends on ours.

3. Support our neighbors with community service. To serve our community is an honor and we are duty bound to assist wherever and whenever we can. We will be Servant Leadersto our teammates and never ask a team member to do something we wouldn't do.

4. Always think of the Big Picture. We don't just want to serve you or our teammates for one day or one moment. We want you to be a part of something ongoing, something special because of its consistency, principles and values. And it starts with the feeling of being privileged to serve and believing that we can meet and exceed the needs, wants and desires of all our customers and teammates.

That's it. That's the plan. If you'd like to be a part of it...let us know!

Incredible Review of the 2011 MX-5

Zack Spencer of the Vancouver Sun has a great review of the 2011 MX-5:

"I can clearly remember the excitement that surrounded the arrival of the original Mazda Miata back in the late-1980s.

There was nothing like it on the road, let alone a roadster of any kind. The popularity of the Miata single-handedly brought about the revival of the roadster.

Shortly after the Miata's initial success, the BMW Z3, Mercedes SLK and Porsche Boxster arrived for drivers wanting some open-air fun. Convertible fever was back.

Over the years Mazda has resisted the urge to stray from the original concept. The Miata, now called MX-5, has always been a small, lightweight 4-cylinder in keeping with the roadster tradition made popular by MG, Triumph, Alpha Romeo and others.

The popularity of the MX-5 might have waned over the years, but it has never been more fun to drive than the current model.

THE SKIN

The MX-5 is small -but good things come in small packages. The compact dimensions provide a lightweight and nimble package that is the heart of this car. If the MX-5 was bigger it would weigh more and lose its fun-to-drive character. In addition, it is very easy to slot the MX-5 through traffic, and it's a snap to parallel park. When Mazda decided to add a retractable hardtop in 2007 they went to great lengths to minimize the amount of space it required in the trunk and only added 36kg of weight. The retractable hardtop is only available on the mid-priced GS and high-end GT trim. For almost $3,000 it is a bit expensive but worth the added protection from the elements and is safer and warmer than the base cloth roof. The silhouette might not be as attractive when the roof is up, but the MX-5 looks fantastic with the roof down.

THE COCKPIT

In keeping with the simple and classic design of the MX-5 roadster, Mazda has kept the interior as clean as it needs to be. You won't find a navigation screen, power seats or unnecessary adornments; the MX-5 is fantastic for what it isn't -bulky. Sure, Bluetooth, Sat radio, leather heated seats and a power roof are all optional but not necessary. It is interesting to note that even though this little car is low to the ground, the driver's seat is high enough in the cabin to provide a commanding view of the road, and the retractable hardtop offers excellent outward visibility. Since the driver sits higher in the car, it has a physiological effect of making the MX-5 less vulnerable in city traffic. Let's not kid ourselves, this is a little car and really only practical for a single person or couple, but the interior room is surprisingly good and the trunk puts other roadsters to shame, especially ones with retractable hardtops.

THE RIDE

All of the attention to weight reduction and Mazda's tireless improvements to the MX-5 have come together to make this classic roadster about as much fun to drive as one could hope for. Dollar for dollar the MX-5 provides as many smiles as any car on the road. With 167hp, the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder is more than willing at any speed. In the city, it has great pull away from traffic lights, and the engine has excellent mid-range torque for effortless in-town cruising. When pushed hard, the engine and exhaust note is pleasing but can be a bit tiring over a long period. The same is true on the highway as the 6-speed manual transmission is geared to keep the revs up. Engine noise is yet another reason the hardtop is worth consideration, plus it helps reduce wind and road noise on the highway. Handling is first rate, yet the suspension is supple enough for daily use. As a city commuter car the MX-5 is a wonderful alternative to buying a compact car.

THE GOOD, THE BAD

Good: With over 20 years of refinement, the Mazda MX-5 is still one of the best roadsters available anywhere.

Bad: The "chick car" handle the MX-5 has been given is way off base (sorry Lisa). This is a fantastic car for all.

ZACK'S VERDICT

With a starting price of $28,995, the MX-5 is a bit pricey and the size is limiting for duty as the sole vehicle in a household. If you are looking for a second car to augment a larger family vehicle, the MX-5 is a perfect city runabout. The compact dimensions along with the ability to drop the roof at any time can turn a boring commute into a special moment. It is too bad that heated seats are only available on the top GT trim because this is one luxury that can transform a cool spring day into a top down day. The mid-priced GS starts at almost $34,000 and the top GT seen here is almost $40,000. Keep in mind that there are no other roadsters available at the base price, only 4-seat convertibles. To get a true roadster, expect to pay a lot more. The MX-5 is like a jewel that has been polished over the past 20-plus years. It shines brighter than ever."

Social Media Wrap-Up for April

Have you visited our Facebook page?

Or discovered us on Twitter yet?

We are having a lot of fun using these tools to connect with you and offer special deals and events that can only be accessed through these sites.

April was a particularly fun month as we wrapped up our Social Media Songwriting Challenge on Facebook and also offered another $200 Gas Card to one lucky winner.

The Songwriting Challenge was a contest to create a jingle that we will actually use on TV and radio as well as an opportunity for someone to win $2,000!

We have close to 20 submissions which is amazing if you see how many people are on our Facebook page and the fact that each person had to write a jingle, record it, make a video of it and then upload that video to Facebook. That's a lot more work than just clicking the LIKE button!

We have such a great community of Orange County Mazda supporters and we are continually amazed at how talented and enthusiastic you all are.

Thanks for giving us such a great month and here's to an even more fun month of May!