Mazda celebrates 100,000 MX-5 sales in UK

Japanese car manufacturer Mazda has chalked up its 100,000th MX-5 sale in the UK - twenty years after the first model arrived in British showrooms.

According to Autocar, British motorists make up around 10% of global and 40% of European sales since the iconic sportscar's launch in 1990.

The MX-5 was first unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show in 1989, arriving in the UK in March the following year. 2,246 units were sold in the car's first year, with annual UK sales peaking in 2007 at 9,234.

New and used car buyers have been equally fond of the MX-5 over the years. The car has won more than 178 awards, and entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000 as the best-selling two-seater sports car in history.

Recent awards for the MX-5 include ‘Best Sports Car’ in its class for the 2010 JD Power ownership satisfaction survey, and a fifth consecutive 'Best Roadster’ title in the 2010 Auto Express New Car Awards.

"The legendary Mazda MX-5 is the car most people associate with Mazda," Auto Evolution quoted Mazda UK's Mark Cameron as saying.

"It is a car that people not only aspire to, but can afford to run and enjoy driving on a daily basis. This iconic sportscar's handling has been voted as the best by motoring magazines."

"It is a fun car that makes each journey an enjoyable experience - a car that encompasses Mazda's soul. To hit 100,000 sales in the UK is a significant milestone for Mazda," Mr Cameron added.

Andrew Sampson, Wirral, BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE

Nicola Walsh, Manchester, Renault Clio