We love to see automakers setting high goals for themselves at the beginning of a year or a decade. Many times, that means business is good, and can only get better. The thing is, sometimes, unforeseen tragedies like the early 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, requires a re-examination of previously set goals. Such is the case with many Japanese automakers recently, and Mazda is no exception.

Takashi Yamanouchi, CEO of Mazda, recently addressed this challenge. At the beginning of the decade, Mazda set a U.S. sales goal of 400,000 units by 2015. While sales have risen since 2010 (up to 250,000 units annually), the automaker has had to reset their original mindset. Compounded by a global recession and a soaring yen, Yamanouchi and his team are coming up with different strategies to keep Mazda at the top of its game during these difficult times.

Model refreshes and production restructuring will certainly play a factor here.  A great supply of new Mazda models will help, particularly in plants like the recently opened central Mexico facility. While the Mazda3 and Mazda2 models produced there were originally intended for South American markets, fiscally, it makes a lot of sense to ship them to high-demand areas like the United States.

We also think that advancements with SkyActiv technology will play a tremendous role in helping Mazda reach their sales goals in the next few years. With an estimated 40-mpg, the newly-developed powertrain can be found in the Mazda3, and soon in the Mazda CX-5. Upcoming models will also feature elements of the Koto: Soul of Motion design language.

Considering all of these upcoming developments from the Japanese automaker, Schaumburg Mazda has no doubt that Mazda will be raising their sales goals again in no time. That said, but sure to stay tuned with us for more news and updates from the automaker. Get a taste for SkyActiv and other impressive features of the 2012 Mazda lineup, now available in the Schaumburg Mazda showroom, located at 110 W Golf Rd Schaumburg, IL 60195.