- Supply of next generation model AD Van to begin from the second half of 2006 -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Nissan Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation have signed an agreement to continue Nissan's original equipment manufacturing (OEM) supply of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to Mazda. Since 1994, Nissan has been supplying the 'AD Van' LCV to Mazda, which badges it as the Familia Van. Based on this agreement, supply of the next generation AD Van to Mazda will commence in the second half of 2006.

"This agreement confirms our intention to establish a long-lasting business relationship with Mazda and is in line with our strategy to grow our global business profitably through direct sales or OEM agreements," said Andrew Palmer, vice president and head of Nissan's LCV business unit.

Tokyo, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its production and sales figures for December 2005 and for January through December 2005. During January through December 2005, Mazda's domestic production, domestic sales and exports exceeded the figures from the previous year due to healthy demand for its new generation models and the Mazda3.

- Posts a one-month record 14,000 unit sales in December 2005 -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it retailed 133,778 Mazda brand vehicles in China in calendar year 2005. This represents an increase of 51 percent over January-December 2004, well above the overall wholesale Chinese passenger vehicle market rise of 26 percent for that period, and amidst tough competition. This is also the first time that Mazda has surpassed the130,000 unit sales mark in China.

The sales breakdown by model showed that FAW Car Company-produced Mazda6 sales rose 101 percent to 55,186 units in CY2005 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the Mazda323 Familia sedan, built by FAW Haima in Hainan Province, also showed a healthy sales jump of 32 percent to 63,398 units year-on-year. FAW Haima also makes the Premacy minivan, and sales of this model climbed 22 percent over the prior year to 15,019 units.

- To provide electricity and steam to Mazda headquarters plant area and Hofu plant's Nishinoura complex from April 2008 -

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation have announced that, on January 17, 2006, they established a new operating company, MCM Energy Service Company, to provide electricity and steam to Mazda's Hiroshima headquarters plant and its Hofu plant's Nishinoura district complex. Mazda's Hofu plant is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the westernmost prefecture on Honshu, the main island of Japan.

Source: www.just-auto.com

Mazda Motor Europe plans to open national sales companies (NSCS - factory-owned marketing and distribution centres) in the Czech Republic and Slovakia this year, taking over from an independent importer.

Mazda Motor Europe sales head Philip Waring presented the plan to independent Mazda dealers from both countries in Prague on Wednesday (11 January).

The current distributor, Auto Palace Praha, will relinquish its franchise to import and distribute Mazda vehicles and parts in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from 1 October.

DETROIT, Mon: Mazda Motor Corp, which exports about 70 per cent of the vehicles it makes in Japan, said it is considering uilding a new factory in the US or Europe to reduce the risk from currency fluctuations.

"A new factory would help ease the impact from swings in foreign currencies," president Hisakazu Imaki said in an interview yesterday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit."

"If we’re to open a factory in the US or Europe, it will be one that can produce multiple models on one assembly line."

DETROIT, Mon: Mazda Motor Corp, which exports about 70 per cent of the vehicles it makes in Japan, said it is considering building a new factory in the US or Europe to reduce the risk from currency fluctuations.
“A new factory would help ease the impact from swings in foreign currencies,” president Hisakazu Imaki said in an interview yesterday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.


“If we’re to open a factory in the US or Europe, it will be one that can produce multiple models on one assembly line.”

MazdaNews snuck over to a few press releases to snap a few raw pics of the new and special Mazda vehicles that will be shown over at the LA AutoShow in the following weeks.

In addition to the CX-7 and the balance of the Mazda lineup will be – MAZDA 3 , MAZDA 5 , MAZDA 6 , MAZDASPEED 6 , MX-5 Miata, RX-8, Tribute, MPV and B-Series – Mazda also will display two vehicles first shown at this year’s Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) trade show.

-Turn One Run-Off Increases, Complete Track Resurfacing Among the Largest Changes-

MONTEREY, Calif. (December 20, 2005) – Construction is set to begin on nearly $7 million of improvements to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, part of an ongoing safety and facility upgrade for the world-renowned circuit. These improvements are scheduled for completion in time for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 21-23, 2006.

The most dramatic improvements include an entire surface repaving, as well as creating additional run-off at Turn 1. Adding runoff at the fast first turn requires removing a portion of the hillside as well as the former media center building that sits atop it. A state-of-the-art hospitality center will replace the former media center building. Additional runoff will also be added at turns 3, 4, 6, and 7.

Mazda Motor Corp. received a long-term credit rating of BB-, three levels below investment grade, from Standard and Poor's, which cited the automaker's links to biggest shareholder Ford Motor Co. and the company's reliance on exports. S&P, which released its first ratings on Mazda on Tuesday, said in a statement the rating is "closely linked with that on 34.2% owner Ford, which exerts a high degree of management control over Mazda." The rating on the Hiroshima, Japan-based automaker "reflects the company's limited competitive position in the global auto industry, high exposure to foreign exchange risk and weak financial profile," Standard & Poor's credit analyst Chizuko Satsukawa said in a statement.