The only compact car to offer a big-time helping of “zoom-zoom” agility and performance—the Mazda3—set a major production mark recently, as global sales of Mazda’s best seller topped the 3 million mark. The Mazda3 reached this impressive milestone in less than 8 years, thanks in large part to its popularity in the North American market, where nearly 1.2 million customers have taken one home since 2003.

“Mazda3 embodies the three elements of Mazda’s DNA: distinctive design, exceptional functionality, and responsive handling and driving performance,” said Hirotaka Kanazawa, Mazda Motor Corporation’s senior managing executive officer in charge of R&D. “Continued global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s most popular model, comprising a third of all Mazda vehicle sales. Since the first-generation model appeared on the market, it has responded to the major changes in the automobile industry by inheriting and strengthening Mazda’s brand DNA while evolving exceptional environmental and safety performance.”

And that dedication to continuous improvement will again be in the spotlight this year, when the 2012 Mazda3 launches as the automaker’s first North American model to boast its cutting-edge SKYACTIV powertrain technologies. Leveraging Mazda innovations that allow the powerplant to run at a higher compression ratio without knocking, the new 2.0-liter engine in the updated Mazda3 will showcase a 15 percent increase in both fuel efficiency and torque. As a result, Mazda says it will deliver an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway while still providing the kind of responsive performance drivers expect from the Mazda3.

Added Kanazawa: “As the Mazda3 passes the three-million-unit mark, I would like to thank every customer for their support, and reaffirm our commitment to delivering outstanding environmental and safety performance balanced with driving pleasure that goes beyond your expectations.”