Given analysts' expectations that industry sales will rise 8 to 10 percent this year, the Japanese automaker's sales goal is aggressive, Mazda spokesman Naoto Oikawa acknowledged.

"There's no doubt this is an aggressive plan," Oikawa told The Journal, "but we aim to achieve the goal through beefing up our sales network, as well as improving our product lineup."

To help boost sales, Mazda is expanding its network of 365 Chinese dealerships 15 percent this year. The company also plans to introduce the CX-5 compact SUV, The Journal reported.

Mazda operates a three-way joint venture with Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. and Ford Motor Co. Mazda has asked the government for permission to dissolve that partnership and replace it with a two-party joint venture with Changan.