Mazda Protege Posts Record-Setting 'Home-Run' Sales in October

- Company's Sales are Up 6.6 Percent -

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1 -- Led by record sales of the Protege compact sedan and the successful launch of the new Protege5, Mazda today reported a 10.1 percent jump in sales for October versus the same month last year. The Protege line boasts a 99.4 percent increase to lead the charge, followed closely by the Mazda Truck and MPV, which also posted strong sales numbers with 34 and 30.4 percent increases respectively.

Mazda's October sales total 23,660 vehicles, while its year-to-date sales are 231,163 units -- a 6.6 percent increase from 2000.

``To have three vehicles post such strong sales is a great tribute to Mazda's ability to meet the needs of the consumer,'' said Charlie Hughes, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. ``We're especially excited about the continual growth and demand for the Protege, which posted its best sales month in 10 years.''

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.

                        MAZDA SALES FOR OCTOBER, 2001

                              Month-To-Date             Year-To-Date

                       October   October    %     October   October     %
                        2001       2000  Change    2001      2000    Change

    PROTEGE            7,896      3,959   99.4%   66,488    54,625    21.7%

    626                2,917      5,510  -47.1%   45,036    63,670   -29.3%

    MILLENIA           1,594      2,008  -20.6%   17,396    13,684    27.1%

    MIATA              1,235      1,077   14.7%   14,426    16,402   -12.0%

    MPV                3,219      2,469   30.4%   27,518    30,957   -11.1%

    B-SERIES TRUCK     2,446      1,825   34.0%   22,529    26,849   -16.1%

    TRIBUTE            4,353       4645   -6.3%   37,770     10680      N/A

    Total Vehicles

    CARS              13,642     12,554    8.7%  143,346   148,381    -3.4%

    TRUCKS            10,018      8,939   12.1%   87,817    68,486    28.2%

    TOTAL             23,660     21,493   10.1%  231,163   216,867     6.6%


    MEMO:

    IMPORT CAR        10,725      7,044   52.3%   98,310    84,711    16.1%
    IMPORT TRUCK       3,219      2,469   30.4%   27,518    30,957   -11.1%
    IMPORT TOTAL      13,944      9,513   46.6%  125,828   115,668     8.8%

    DOMESTIC CAR       2,917      5,510  -47.1%   45,036    63,670   -29.3%
    DOMESTIC TRUCK     6,799      6,470    5.1%   60,299    37,529    60.7%
    DOMESTIC TOTALS    9,716     11,980  -18.9%  105,335   101,199     4.1%