Mazda on Track as Protege Sales Heat Up the Road in August

    IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 4 Led by its Protege sedan, a
compact car with not so compact sales, Mazda today reported a sales increase
after a lengthy string of positive postings was slowed last month by a slight
decline.  August's 1.3 percent sales increase puts the Japanese auto
manufacturer back into the pattern of positive sales results it had enjoyed
for nearly a year.
    Mazda's sales for August are 22,725 and the year-to-date sales total is
187,684 units.
    "We have always felt that Mazda's forward direction has been clearly
defined, and it is just as clearly illustrated by our sales reports during the
past year," said Charlie Hughes, president and CEO of Mazda North American
Operations.  "We take pride in being able to rebound so well after a slight
drop off last month with an increase in August, and we are back now where we
belong."
    August indeed proved to be yet another impressive month for Mazda's sporty
Protege compact.  After a 13.3 percent increase last month, Protege sales
heated up even more in August, surging 31.4 percent ahead of last year's pace.
Mazda's recently introduced Tribute, which made its debut last year, continues
to impress as well.  The stylish sport utility vehicle climbed to garner the
second spot behind Protege in total sales volume for August, selling
3,374 units.
    Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing,
customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.


                              Month-To-Date               Year-To-Date

                        August   August      %      August   August     %
                         2001     2000    Change     2001     2000    Change

    PROTEGE              8,270    6,292     31.4%   51,411   46,000    11.8%

    626                  3,206    5,555    -42.3%   39,166   52,804   -25.8%

    MILLENIA             1,407    1,650    -14.7%   14,410   10,082    42.9%

    MIATA                1,369    1,723    -20.5%   12,157   13,980   -13.0%

    MPV                  2,532    3,430    -26.2%   22,070   25,468   -13.3%

    B-SERIES TRUCK       2,567    3,150    -18.5%   17,955   22,636   -20.7%

    TRIBUTE              3,374      641    426.4%   30,515      676      N/A

    Total Vehicles

    CARS                14,252   15,220     -6.4%  117,144  122,866    -4.7%

    TRUCKS               8,473    7,221     17.3%   70,540   48,780    44.6%

    TOTAL               22,725   22,441      1.3%  187,684  171,646     9.3%


    MEMO:

    IMPORT CAR          11,046    9,665     14.3%   77,978   70,062    11.3%
    IMPORT TRUCK         2,532    3,430    -26.2%   22,070   25,468   -13.3%
    IMPORT TOTAL        13,578   13,095      3.7%  100,048   95,530     4.7%

    DOMESTIC CAR         3,206    5,555    -42.3%   39,166   52,804   -25.8%
    DOMESTIC TRUCK       5,941    3,791     56.7%   48,470   23,312   107.9%
    DOMESTIC TOTALS      9,147    9,346     -2.1%   87,636   76,116    15.1%