Mazda drops import duty

MAZDA has axed up to $2000 from the prices of some models in a unique sales initiative that pre-empts the federal government’s new-car import duty reduction from 10 to five per cent for passenger cars from January 1.

Available now across Mazda’s fully imported passenger vehicle range, the discounts differ from model to model but average about three per cent on the manufacturer’s list prices (excluding on-road statutory and dealer delivery charges).

That translates to average saving of almost $930 for buyers of Australia’s top-selling privately purchased car, the Mazda3, while buyers of the RX-8 sportscar will save more than $2000.

There is no change in the retail price of SUVs and light commercial vehicles, which are already subject to the lower five per cent import tax rate, nor for vehicles imported from countries with a free-trade agreement with Australia, such as Thailand – which in both cases includes Mazda’s BT-50 utility.

“Introducing the duty cut now delivers a significant saving for new car buyers,” said Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson.

“Combine these savings with the federal government’s 50 per cent investment allowance for small business available until year’s end and Mazda is doing all it can to stimulate what remains a sluggish new vehicle market.”