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Mazda Adopts 3.6 Liter V6 to Boost 626 Sales

7 August 2000

    Japan - In order to help strengthen their sales in the US, Mazda will be 
adopting a 3 liter V6 cylinder engines for the 626.  The engine is produced in 
a joint venture with Ford, AutoAlliance International Inc. in Flat Rock, MI.

    Competitively, in the US, Honda introduced the Accord having a 2.2 liter 4 
cylinder engine for the standard class, and a 3 liter V6 cylinder engine for the 
higher class.  Toyota uses 2.2 and 3 liter engines for the CAMRY.

    However, Mazda currently has a lineup of 2 and 2.5 liter engine models for 
the 626, which goes against the market trend.  The 626, based on the Capella 
in Japan, sold 86,735 in 1999, down 5 percent, and its sales have been further 
decreasing this year. To bring up the sales, Mazda also plans to shift engine 
production for the new 626 from their Japanese plant to the US.