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.August 18, 2004
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This Week:

• Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept Displays Performance Art

• Chrysler Adds Even More Horsepower to HEMI® with New 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8

• Lexus Debuts Vintage-Inspired Pebble Beach Edition SC Retractable Hardtop Convertible

• Nissan Announces Most Powerful V6 Pickup

• MINI XXL - MINI stretch limo makes world debut in Athens

• GM China, SAIC and Shanghai GM Complete Restructuring of Jinbei

• Flexible Manufacturing Comes To Life At Chicago Assembly With Three New Vehicles

• Mazda Motor Europe Records Best July In History

• Middlebrook, LaNeve Lead New GM Sales & Marketing Posts

• Renault launches new Twingo range in September

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Mazda Motor Europe Records Best July In History
 

European sales up 23 percent last month, the best July ever Spain records best single month for sales ever 8 individual markets set all-time July sales records Germany has outstanding month, with sales up 12 percent Eastern European export countries achieve best July ever January through July sales up 28 percent over same period last year Leverkusen - Mazda Motor Europe recorded its best July in history last month, with sales up 23 percent over last July. This record was achieved in the middle of the summer holidays during a period when the market declined by 3 percent across Europe.

Several individual markets set records as well, lead by Spain where sales were up in July by 47 percent over the same month last year. This is the best month for sales by volume in history for Mazda in Spain.

A total of 8 markets set all-time July sales records. These include Italy, up 45 percent, France, up 31 percent, the UK, up 25 percent, Portugal, up 21 percent, Hungary, up 20 percent, Greece, up 11 percent and Switzerland, up 10 percent. Finland (including the Baltics) also had its best July result ever, with sales up 1 percent compared to last July, achieving this result in a domestic industry that declined by 14 percent for the month.

Germany had an outstanding month as well, with sales up 12 percent over last year, its best July in 4 years. So far this year, Mazda has sold over 47,000 vehicles in Europe's largest market, which is up over 8 percent on the same period last year.

Other markets recording excellent results for the month included Denmark, where sales were up by 38 percent over last July, and which represent the best July in 5 years by volume. In Austria sales (excluding exports) were up 26 percent, the best July in 12 years; while sales for those markets Austria exports to (Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria, Macedonia) represented the best July in history. In Norway sales were up 9 percent over last July, in Belgium up 3 percent-its best July in 6 years-while sales in Ireland were up 2 percent.

These performances in July follow one of the best quarters for sales in Mazda Motor Europe's history. As a result, volume for the period January through July of over 171,000 units is up 28 percent on a year ago and 6,500 units more than were sold in all of 2001.

"Hard work by our dealers turned what is traditionally a slow month for sales due to the summer holidays into an excellent result," said Dan Morris, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Europe. "We are especially pleased that these increases are being driven across all markets. With this great start to the Third Quarter, our line up of fantastic vehicles and new products coming, we are optimistic that our sales momentum will continue."

(August 16, 2004)