Impressive Wholelife Costs Help Clinch Top Fleet Award for Mazda6

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – March 23, 2009: Strong wholelife costs and a stylish design helped the Mazda6 beat off stiff competition to be named ‘Best Large Family Car’ at the 2009 Fleet News Awards - the industry ‘Oscars’ this week.

The latest generation Mazda6 went on sale early in 2008 and its very competitive running costs and aspirational appeal were key factors in the model winning the award, along with the car’s availability as a saloon, five-door hatch and estate.

The award was presented at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday (March 18, 2009) with the independent panel of fleet expert judges declaring: “With a stylish design that stands out on the road, the Mazda6 offers drivers something different to the norm in this sector. We were also impressed with the wholelife cost performance, new range of diesel engines and its driving appeal.”

Since launch, the range of available models, which include 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol engines, have been supplemented by a choice of three 2.2-litre diesel engines available in 125ps, 163ps and 185ps power outputs.

Lightweight technology utilised by Mazda engineers means that all the models deliver fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions levels that are among the best available in the upper medium sector. Crucially, for company car drivers the lower the CO2 figure the lower the benefit-in-kind tax bill, which is also reflected in business car-related corporate tax savings.

Couple the Mazda6’s cash-saving advantages in terms of fuel and tax with residual values that at the benchmark three-year/60,000 miles are among the best in the sector, and it underlines why the model overcame the other finalists - the Honda Accord and Toyota Avensis - to win the ‘Best Large Family Car’ title.

The triumph in the 2009 Fleet News Awards follows the Mazda6 winning the ‘Best New Car’ award at the 2008 Fleet World Honours in May last year, just months after going on sale. This is the second time Mazda6 has been awarded by Fleet News after receiving the Fleet News Award 2003 for Best Upper Medium Car.

Following the latest awards win for the current generation Mazda6, Fleet and Remarketing Director Peter Allibon said: “The current economic climate means that cost management is the number one priority for both fleet decision-makers and company car drivers.

“The Mazda6, as highlighted by the Fleet News awards judges, delivers a compelling wholelife cost package that puts the car ahead of the upper medium sector pack. The very competitive pricing of the Mazda6, its track record for reliability and its specification contained within a stylish package makes the model a ‘must have’ not just for the awards judges but for fleets and company car drivers across Britain.”

On-the-road prices for the 26-model Mazda6 range start at £14,891 on-the-road for the 1.8 5dr S and extend to £22,211 on-the-road for the 2.2 Estate Sports Luxury 185 PS.