Mazda Delivers RX-8 Hydrogen RE to Yamaguchi Government

Hiroshima, Japan, Oct. 11, 2006; Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has delivered one dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle, which runs either on gasoline or hydrogen, to the Yamaguchi prefectural government through a commercial lease contract. The Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE model's duel-fuel system allows a driver to select either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch.

To date, Mazda has supplied one RX-8 Hydrogen RE each to two private companies as well as to Hiroshima prefecture and city government authorities in Japan. The four cars leased so far have been used in both special events and for daily operations. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE that was handed over to Yamaguchi Prefecture today is the fifth vehicle to be delivered in line with Mazda's plan to lease around ten vehicles to local governments or energy-related industries by the end of 2006.

Mazda developed this unique hybrid rotary engine technology as part of its effort to promote an environmentally friendly society. It attained approval to test the vehicle on public roads in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in October 2004, and began leasing in February 2006.

"Some of Mazda's major facilities, like the Hofu plant and Mine Proving Ground, are located in Yamaguchi prefecture. Accordingly, we are very pleased to be working together with Yamaguchi prefectural government authorities to further the promise of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE and that they have introduced this vehicle into service," said Mazda's Executive Vice President in charge of corporate liaison and purchasing, Mutsumi Fujiwara. "In the years ahead, we will further our efforts in environmental technologies as it is a responsibility of automakers like Mazda."

About Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda Motor Corporation started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. Overseas sales account for more than half of total turnover. Mazda has two main production sites in Japan and 19 overseas facilities. Overseas sites include joint ventures based in the United States, and in Thailand with Ford Motor Company, Mazda's largest shareholder.