Mazda said today that sales in the United States were up an estimated 24 percent in September from a year ago. The sudden surge in sales was mostly due to the increased demand of the popular Mazda3 compact.

Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer, Daniel Morris, told reporters that U.S. sales for 2007 up until now are up 8 percent. Mazda also said that there has also been an increase in the sales of the CX-7 and CX-9 crossover models.

Mazda is expected to show a redesigned RX-8 at the Tokoyo Motor Show in October, along with the brand new Mazda6 that was recently shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.