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January 26, 2005
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This Week:

• The new BMW 3 Series Saloon - Unique Dynamics, Product Substance and Efficiency

• Honda Ridgeline Truck Unveiled at 2005 North American International Auto Show

• Toyota to Unveil All-New FJ Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicle at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

• Jaguar X-TYPE Diesel Now Even More Tax Efficient With EURO IV Emissions Compliance

• Hyundai and Kia Celebrate Grand Opening of a New $60 Million California-Based Proving Ground

• DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Vehicles Operate in Freezing Temperatures

• Mazda Europe Sales Up 20 Percent in 2004

• GM Reports 2004 Financial Results

• Ford Reports 2004 Net Income Of $3.5 Billion

• BMW: Dynamic growth in revenues in 2004 thanks to product and market initiative

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Mazda Europe Sales Up 20 Percent in 2004

• Second best December for sales in 12 years

• Record month for sales volume in Spain

• Record monthly market share in Greece

• December sales records set in Russia, Italy, Portugal

• 2004 European sales up 20 percent

• Russia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK set yearly sales records in 2004

• 13 markets achieve double-digit growth in 2004

Outstanding December results were also recorded in Norway, up 62 percent, Belgium, up 8 percent, Germany, up 4 percent, and France and Hungary, each up 2 percent compared to December 2003.

These results completed a great calendar year for Mazda Motor Europe, during which over 275,000 vehicles were sold, over 46,000 units more than in 2003. In a European market that grew by just 2.3 percent, Mazda Motor Europe increased its sales by 20 percent. At a European level, Mazda has recorded double-digit year-over-year increases for 25 consecutive months, which positioned Mazda as one of Europe's fastest growing brands in both 2003 and 2004. Through December this year, consecutive double-digit monthly sales increases have been recorded in Italy, for 23 consecutive months, and Greece, for 21 consecutive months.

A total of 13 markets had double-digit sales increases during 2004, with five markets setting yearly sales records. These include Russia, up 460 percent, Italy, up 68 percent, Spain, up 45 percent, Portugal, up 30 percent, and the UK, up 25 percent compared to 2003. Sales records were also achieved in Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

Also recording double-digit growth for the year were Greece, up 59 percent, France, up 30 percent, Denmark, up 29 percent, Belgium, up 25 percent, Norway, up 18 percent, Ireland, up 12 percent, Hungary, up 11 percent and the Czech Republic and Slovakia up 10 percent compared to 2003. In Germany, Mazda's largest market in Europe, in Austria and in the Netherlands the brand grew volume and market share.

Mazda6 was again the best-selling vehicle in the Mazda Motor Europe line up in 2004, with 34 percent of the total sales, and a volume nearly as high as in 2003. Mazda3 had an excellent year, with almost 71,000 units sold in Europe, and Mazda2 had its best year ever, with sales up 55 percent over 2003. Mazda's market share of the sports non-premium segment in Europe continued to be very strong, with the rotary-engine sports car Mazda RX-8 capturing 14 percent and the Mazda MX-5 roadster capturing 10 percent in 2004.

(January 10, 2005)