Mazda 'Zooms' Into 2004 With Strong December Sales

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2004 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported sales of 23,056 units in December -- a 35.9 percent increase versus the same period last year and Mazda's best December since 1994. The increase marks the third consecutive month the company's monthly sales have been significantly ahead of pace from the prior year.

Overall, Mazda finished 2003 with year-to-date sales of 258,865 units -- up 0.3 percent from last year.

Mazda's strong December was led by its functional and sporty MPV, which posted a 10.4 percent increase in December sales. Mazda also reported record monthly sales of 8,778 units for its MAZDA6 flagship sedan -- the best sales month in the vehicle's history. In addition, after less than one month in dealerships, Mazda reported December sales of nearly 2,000 units for its all- new MAZDA3 sport compact.

"With a record month for our MAZDA6 flagship sedan and two new MAZDA6 derivatives on the way, the outlook is more than promising for this and all our Mazda vehicles in 2004," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "We certainly made good on our prediction to close the year in impressive fashion and enter the new year poised for continued growth."

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.

                     MAZDA SALES FOR DECEMBER -- 2003

                         Month-To-Date                  Year-To-Date

                  December  December    %      December  December    %
                    2003      2002    Change     2003      2002    Change

  PROTEGE           3,479    6,031   -42.3%     68,788    83,367   -17.5%

  Mazda3             1921        0      N/A       2081         0      N/A

  626                   1    1,603   -99.9%      1,629    40,689   -96.0%

  Mazda6            8,778    1,581      N/A     66,118     2,042      N/A

  MILLENIA             10      917   -98.9%      1,812    18,066   -90.0%

  MIATA               536      536     0.0%     10,920    14,392   -24.1%

  RX8               2,079        0      N/A     12,346         0      N/A

  MPV               2,336    2,115    10.4%     30,689    34,403   -10.8%

  MAZDA TRUCK         951      995    -4.4%     14,970    20,265   -26.1%

  TRIBUTE           2,965    3,193    -7.1%     49,512    44,989    10.1%

  Total Vehicles

  CARS             16,804   10,668    57.5%    163,694   158,556     3.2%

  TRUCKS            6,252    6,303    -0.8%     95,171    99,657    -4.5%

  TOTAL            23,056   16,971    35.9%    258,865   258,213     0.3%

  MEMO:

   IMPORT CAR       8,025    7,484     7.2%     95,947   115,825   -17.2%
   IMPORT TRUCK     2,336    2,115    10.4%     30,689    34,403   -10.8%
   IMPORT TOTAL    10,361    9,599     7.9%    126,636   150,228   -15.7%

   DOMESTIC CAR     8,779    3,184   175.7%     67,747    42,731    58.5%
   DOMESTIC TRUCK   3,916    4,188    -6.5%     64,482    65,254    -1.2%
   DOMESTIC TOTALS 12,695    7,372    72.2%    132,229   107,985    22.5%