Move over Commodore and Corolla! According to VFACTS figures released today, the month of January saw more Australians buying Mazda3s than any other vehicle, making it Australia’s favourite, at least for a month.

The Mazda3 recorded 3,124 retail sales in January 2009, up 7.2 percent on the same month in 2008, making it the first-ever Mazda model to top the sales charts in Australia.

Mazda is certainly a manufacturer on the move in Australia, managing to sell a total of 6,532 passenger cars and commercials over January. That performance was enough to see Mazda take third place overall with a 9.7 percent market share.

However, Mazda is taking a somewhat realistic view of the January result, with Managing Director Doug Dickson saying that Mazda was delighted by consumers’ enduring affection for the Mazda3, but warned against reading too much into it.

“This is a fantastic result for the Mazda3 sedan and hatch range, though I think the market came to Mazda in January.

“Mazda3 averaged 3,131 retails in January 2007 and 2008, so in that context the 2009 result is nothing out of the ordinary.”

With an all- new 2009 Mazda3 just around the corner (pictured above), Mr Dickson said that the Mazda3’s rise to the top of the sales charts was a fitting closing chapter for the outgoing model.

“Of course, it’s pleasing to see that consumers have continued to vote for Mazda and for the Mazda3 in these challenging economic times. I think that’s a reflection of the innate value, reliability and enjoyment that Mazda injects into every car in our range.”

The new-generation Mazda3 is, according to Mazda, going to be even more attractive, more fun to drive and even better value for money.

The new Mazda3 MPS already has most of the TMR office wetting their pants.