- The "Visual IT Presentation" tool, a PC-based computer graphics/animation system, enables improved product explanation for customers -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--To provide a more positive car shopping experience for customers, Mazda will expand the deployment of its 'Visual IT Presentation' tool system to dealers across Japan through the end of March 2007. This system utilizes personal computer (PC) terminals that are placed inside dealer showrooms, providing salespeople with easy access to animation, computer graphics and actual three-dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) data employed during a vehicle's development process, to help them explain product features to prospective Mazda owners. The Visual IT Presentation system's technology enables sales associates to better describe specialized product details, such as vehicle safety features, that are difficult to explain with traditional brochures or media.

- Latest MPV minivan to be named Mazda8 in Hong Kong -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has announced its plan to launch the all-new Mazda MPV in Hong Kong--where it will be named Mazda8--in May 2006. The latest generation MPV debuted in February 2006 in Japan. On account of the 23 percent year-on-year increase in demand in 2005 for upper-segment multipurpose vehicles in the Hong Kong market and to promote sales of the all-new MPV, Mazda has decided to launch the Mazda8 there.

Sales of the Mazda8 will commence in Hong Kong in May 2006, with an annual sales target of 250 units. Currently, Mazda is studying the prospect of introducing the Mazda8 to other global markets but no decisions have yet been made.

- One million units achieved in four years and one month is the fastest time ever for a Mazda model -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that total global production of the Mazda6 (known as Atenza in Japan) reached the one million-unit mark in late February 2006. It took four years and one month to reach this important milestone since the first Mazda6 came off the line at the Hofu No. 2 Plant in February 2002. This is the fastest time ever to reach one million units of production for a single Mazda vehicle model.

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the name of its new one-ton pickup range, which will make its world debut at the 2006 Bangkok International Motor Show, to be held from Wednesday 22 March through Monday 3 April 2006.

“In line with Mazda’s global alphanumeric nomenclature strategy, we have named this new truck range “BT-50”, a global name that will be used in all markets,” says Malcolm Gough, Executive Officer and General Manager of Mazda’s Overseas Sales Division.

- After one month of sales, orders received are nearly double the monthly sales target -


HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation today reported strong demand for the all-new Mazda MPV that went on sale February 2, 2006, as orders received were nearly double the monthly sales target. For the period February 2 through March 5, 2006, there were 5,500 orders received. The all-new MPV's sales target is 3,000 units per month and is only on sale in the Japanese market.

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Total production of Mazda Motor Corporation's flagship minivan, the Mazda MPV, has reached one million units. This significant milestone was achieved 17 years and 10 months after production of the original Mazda MPV was started in April 1988.

Mazda introduced the original Mazda MPV (which stands for Multi Purpose Vehicle) to the North American market in 1988. This was later followed by its Japanese market launch in January 1990, with the MPV quickly gaining notice around the globe thanks to its original packaging and high functionality.

- Partnership between Mazda, Changan Automotive and Ford results in China production of Mazda3 -

CHONGQING, China, February 27, 2006--At a joint press conference held today, Mazda Motor Corporation, Ford Motor Company and Changan Automotive Group announced the commencement of Mazda3 production at the Changan Ford main plant in Chongqing. Immediately following the press conference, Changan Ford held a Job#1 (start of production) ceremony to showcase the first new vehicle that was produced. The kickoff of Mazda3 production represents another significant step forward in the cooperation between the three partners in China.

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) donated 10 clean-burning, fuel efficient Tribute Hybrid Electric Vehicles to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) at a ceremony held on February 22, 2006, at the OCFA headquarters in Irvine, California.

The vehicles are gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the Mazda Tribute compact SUV and are the first of 30 total Tribute Hybrid SUVs that Mazda will loan to fire agencies across Southern California. The Tribute HEVs are painted in the red and white color used by regional fire authority vehicles and will be in service for two years. They will mainly be used for educational programs and fire safety and prevention programs at local schools.

In January 2006, Mazda's domestic production, domestic sales, exports, and overseas production results exceeded the previous year's figures due to steady demand for its new generation models.

HIROSHIMA, Japan, February 20, 2006--Mazda Motor Corporation today held a ceremony to mark the start of production of the all-new Mazda CX-7 for the North American market at the Ujina Plant No. 2 (U2) located near Mazda's global headquarters in Hiroshima. Mazda's President and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) President and CEO Jim O'Sullivan, along with approximately 700 Mazda staff, comprised of several senior executives, union representatives and employees attended this event. The Mazda CX-7 was designed and engineered with the North American market in mind and will be arriving in North American dealerships in spring 2006.