Los Angeles Auto Show: Mazda Nagare Concept Vehicle Headlines Presentation - VIDEO ENHANCED

(Click PLAY button below to watch the complete Mazda LA Press Conference)

LOS ANGELES - November 29, 2006: Mazda North American Operations will today unveil -- for the first time ever -- its Nagare design concept, as well as display its full 2007 showroom lineup, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Following on the heels of three very successful and exploratory Mazda design concepts -- Sassou, Senku, and Kabura -- from last year's show season, Nagare (pronounced "na-ga-reh") is the first indication of Mazda's future design direction.

According to Mazda's newly appointed global design director, Laurens van den Acker, Nagare sums up the future of Mazda design in one deceptively simple word -- Flow. "Nagare is a celebration of proportions and surface language that will evolve into subsequent designs planned for presentation at future international auto shows. Nagare examines light and shadow, and begins to reveal the global design cues for the next generation of Mazda vehicles."

And there's much more to come, too, as Mazda will continue to evolve flow through future models. For now, Mazda enthusiasts can experience Nagare as an indication of Mazda Design's confident step in a new direction.

In addition to the Nagare concept, Mazda will display the recently launched Mazda CX-7 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV), the Mazda CX-9 three-row, seven-passenger SUV and the Mazda MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top.

Launched in May, 2006, the CX-7 is a highly styled crossover SUV with a decided soul of a sportscar. Produced entirely on Mazda-derived platform architecture, the five-passenger CX-7 embodies an astute blend of sports car verve and SUV practicality, resulting in a fun-to-drive SUV that represents everything a Mazda SUV should be. Designed and engineered specifically for North America, CX-7 is the first of a number of important all-new Mazda vehicles designed and engineered specifically for North America.

Set to arrive in North American Mazda dealerships in early 2007, the CX-9 is a three-row, seven-passenger crossover SUV offering an up-market interior with class-leading space and unmatched versatility. Available in three trim levels -- Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- the CX-9 blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality.

New for 2007, the MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) builds on the soft-top two-seater's zest for life by enhancing year-round comfort and security. Opening and closing cycles last only 12 seconds, making this the fastest power-operated retractable hard top in the U.S., and innovative packaging means that it's the only retractable hardtop that doesn't compromise luggage space when the top is stowed.

Other special vehicles on display will include the CX-7 Adrenaline, a fully running prototype designed and built by Mazda's North American design team in Irvine, Calif. for the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca CX-7 safety vehicle.

Mazda's full 2007 lineup will also be on display at the show including the MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, MAZDASPEED3, MAZDASPEED6 and RX-8.

The Los Angeles Auto Show is open to the public Dec. 1-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

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.