Mazda Reports Three Percent Sales Increase in May

- Calendar Year-to-Date Sales Up Four Percent -

IRVINE, Calif., June 1 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported sales of 27,321 vehicles for May 2006 accounting for a three percent increase versus last year. Mazda also reported a four percent year-to-date sales increase versus the same period last year with 116,977 units sold through May.

Mazda's all-new CX-7 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) arrived in showrooms late in the month and reported sales of 265 units. Sales of the CX-7, which has a starting MSRP of $23,750, are expected to grow considerably as inventory becomes more widely available to dealers across the county. The CX-7 features a turbo-charged 2.3-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that produces 244-horsepower yet still delivers an estimated 23 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Mazda's sales increase was led in volume by its popular MAZDA3, which reported sales of 11,662 units despite a continuing lack of inventory resulting in only a 30-day supply. The MX-5 Miata posted its best May since 2001 with sales of 1,829 units and was also inventory constrained. The innovative MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle continues to create a new market segment, with sales for the month of 1,485 and for the year of 7,806.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.