TOKYO, Jan 24, 2008 -- Mazda Motor Corp. said Wednesday that it has developed a safety system that warns drivers who are trying to change lanes of vehicles approaching from behind.

This system will be an option starting with the new Atenza -- sold outside Japan as the Mazda6 -- that will be released at month's end.

It kicks in when the car exceeds 60 kilometres per hour. Using radar equipment below the taillights, the system detects vehicles in the adjacent lanes that are within 50 metres behind.

An LED turns on to alert the driver of vehicles approaching from behind. And if the driver activates the turn signals at that time, the system warns of the possibility of a collision via a sound and flashing LED.

Thanks to its combination of Mazda’s trademark Zoom-Zoom performance and excellent environmental efficiency, the hydrogen rotary engine (Hydrogen RE) is one of the leading lights in Mazda's efforts to develop the power plant of the future.

To demonstrate the exceptional environmental performance of this engine that burns hydrogen to generate motive power and emits zero CO2, Mazda has been leasing the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE to corporations and local government bodies since 2006. In particular, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE not only offers clean performance, it also maintains a driving feel characteristic of a vehicle powered by a conventional gasoline internal combustion engine. With its dual-fuel system, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE can be switched between hydrogen and gasoline fuel at the touch of a button, and although it is an alternative fuel vehicle, it offers all the other acclaimed attributes of the base model RX-8, including its seating capacity for four adults.

- Special edition Mazda Axela Sport with a range of sportier features also released -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has released updated versions of the Mazda Axela sports compact in Japan. Known as the Mazda3 in overseas markets, the Mazda Axela has earned high praise both in Japan and abroad. All models in the range – including the four-door Axela, five-door Axela Sport and Mazdaspeed Axela – feature fresh improvements and are available from today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide. Two new special edition versions of the Axela Sport, the 23HS and 20HS, which come outfitted with equipment to enhance their sporty pedigree, also go on sale from today.

Mazda has once again won the country’s most prestigious automotive award – the New Zealand Car of the Year for the new Mazda2.

The Mazda2 was judged by the country’s leading motoring writers and broadcasters to be the best new car for 2007.

In awarding the Mazda top honours, members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild gave consideration to all aspects of the car. As well as its performance and handling, the facets under consideration included suitability for the task for which it was designed, its value for money, ease of operation, fuel economy, and build quality, along with its level of home comforts, safety accoutrements and visual appeal.

- This is the first time that a Mazda vehicle has received this honor -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation’s CX-9 crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been named North American Truck of the Year. The Mazda CX-9 received the award at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, on January 13, 2008 (January 14, Japan time). This is the first time that a Mazda vehicle has won this prize.

Established in 1994, the North American Truck of the Year is one of North America’s most prestigious motoring awards. Vehicles in consideration for the award are judged by various categories including design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for money. The Truck of the Year award was determined by 45 prominent automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who assessed 2008 model year trucks—a category which includes both conventional trucks and SUVs.

- Improvements include restyled exterior, more advanced driving dynamics and enhanced interior comfort and quality -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch in Japan of the upgraded Mazda MPV minivan. Known for its excellent drivability and sporty dynamic design, the freshened Mazda MPV is available from today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide.

- Mazda2 delivers impressive fuel efficiency thanks to a weight reduction of nearly 100 kilograms and world-class safety protection -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the new Mazda2 was awarded the five-star maximum rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) adult occupant protection safety test. This is the second five-star score from Euro NCAP awarded to a Mazda vehicle; the first was given to the Mazda5 (known as the Premacy in Japan) in September 2005.

- Premium features include black genuine leather seats and BBS alloy wheels -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of the special edition Mazda Roadster Prestige Edition for the Japanese domestic market. Mazda’s two-seat lightweight open-top sports car (known as the Mazda MX-5 in overseas markets) has been newly outfitted with premium features including black genuine leather seats and alloy wheels made by BBS Japan Co. Ltd. The Prestige Edition goes on sale from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation employee Ko Hideshima won the gold medal in the sheet metal technology category at the 39th WorldSkills competition, held from November 14 to 21 in central Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture. Hideshima’s win marks the fifth time that Mazda has won a gold medal since the 21st competition was held in 1973. Two Mazda employees represented Japan at this year’s WorldSkills event, one competing in sheet metal technology and the other in the car painting category.

- Mazda CX-7 crossover sports utility vehicle also receives special award for 'Best SUV' -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced today that the Mazda Demio was named the 2008 Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) Car of the Year. The Mazda CX-7 also won the special “Best SUV” prize. RJC Chairman, Michio Takei, announced the two awards after the final round of balloting.

This year’s RJC Car of the Year (COTY) winner, the Mazda Demio (known as the Mazda2 overseas), is a compact car that combines distinct styling, superb handling and very competitive running costs with the fun-to-drive spirit of Zoom-Zoom. Demio received high marks from RJC for its great fuel efficiency and drivability. The new model is around 100 kilograms lighter than the previous model, and the 13C-V model grade combines Mazda’s MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine with a continuously variable transmission to achieve top class fuel economy of 23.0 km/L in 10-15 fuel mode.