Mazda6 a Go In China; Preparations for Mazda's Third Model in China Right on Track

Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 21, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - A ceremony was held today
at FAW Car Co., Ltd. (FCC) in Changchun, Jilin Province, China to
celebrate first production of the Mazda6 (known as 'Atenza' in Japan)
which Mazda Motor Corporation will launch in China this spring. 

Present at the ceremony were Tsuneo Matsubara, Managing Executive
Officer and Noriaki Yamada, General Manager, Asia & Pacific Sales
Department from Mazda, FAW President Zhu Yan Feng and FCC President
Zhang Lei representing the FAW group, as well as the Governor of Jilin
Province Hong Hu. Following remarks from Chinese government officials
and the automakers, approximately 300 FCC employees looked on as
representatives from each of the parties held up a specially made gold
key and two Mazda6 sedan pilot vehicles rolled of the production line.

"Since China joined the WTO in 2001, a large number of automakers have
launched an array of all-new models in the Chinese market resulting in a
highly competitive environment," said Mazda Managing Executive Officer
Tsuneo Matsubara. "Amidst such circumstances we have successfully
launched production of the Mazda6 in just eight months thanks to the
enthusiasm and cooperation of all involved. Mazda has designated this
year as one of 'Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Growth.' I hope that
FCC will also focus on quality and customer satisfaction while aiming
for growth of Mazda6 sales. Last year China was the seventh largest
market for Mazda (in terms of unit sales) and it will become an
increasingly important market in the future."

Addressing those gathered at the ceremony FCC President Zhang Lei said,
"The technical tie-up between Mazda and FCC is beneficial for both
companies. Mazda6 is one of Mazda's latest products and is earning
worldwide praise. By producing the Mazda6 here in China, FCC has been
able to improve automobile production technologies. I am confident of
the market forecasts and am sure that the Mazda6 will lead the new wave
in Chinese mid-size passenger vehicles producing outstanding results."

FCC will make final adjustments to production lines to be ready for the
commencement of mass production, increasing production units. Mazda6
mass production will move into high gear from late March.

China's mid-size car market, in which Mazda6 will enter, is rapidly
growing, and is expected to further expand in the future. Mazda6 is
aimed at cultivating a new market as China's first sports sedan,
scheduled to be launched in China in April, with a target sales volume
of 15,000 units for the year.

Mazda already produces Mazda Premacy and Mazda 323 at FAW Hainan Motor
Co., Ltd. (FHC), a subsidiary of the FAW Group, in Hainan Province since
May 2001 and July 2002 respectively. In the Chinese market, the company
sold a total of 23,000 units last year, a year-on-year increase of 120%,
with a 2% share in the passenger car market. This year, the company aims
to gain a market share of 3%, doubling the sales volume target to 45,000
units through addition of the Mazda6.

In an effort to respond to increasing demand in the future, the
automaker is working to expand its dealer network and increase the
number of exclusive dealers. As of the end of December last year there
are 48 dealers increased from 34 in August. In addition, the company
plans to raise the number to 85 by spring this year, and to expand
gradually depending on sales status.

Mazda6 went on sale in May 2002 in Japan, with three body styles: SEDAN,
SPORT and SPORT WAGON. Since the vehicle's launch, its superb styling,
dynamic performance, excellent packaging, functionality and
craftsmanship have been proving popular with many customers. The car has
won a total of 30 awards in 19 countries and regions around the globe,
including Japan's RJC Car of the Year last December, runner-up in the
European Car of the Year, a place among Car and Driver magazine's "2003
10 Best," and Britain's Auto 1 Car of the Year.


About Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda Motor Corporation was established in 1920 and is one
of Japan's leading automobile manufacturers. With its headquarters
in Hiroshima, Mazda has two plants in Japan and manufacturing and
assembly operations in sixteen other countries. Mazda cars and trucks
are sold in more than one hundred and thirty countries. Ford Motor and
Mazda agreed to collaborate in 1979, Ford Motor Company started
investing in Mazda and increased its shareholding to 33.39% as of March
31, 1999. For further information, please visit the Mazda Motor
Corporation home page at: www.mazda.com/flash.html
<http://www.mazda.com/flash.html>