Mazda Motor Europe Reports Rome Positive Highlights in February Sales

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - March 12, 2009: The Mazda brand achieved several positive results last month in Europe, despite lower retail volumes compared to February 2008. The relatively strong performance in 12 markets helped to increase Mazda Motor Europe’s passenger car market share, both European-wide and on a country level.

Mazda’s share of the European passenger car market (excluding the Mazda BT-50) rose 0.3 of a percentage point (ppt) compared to February 2008, and is estimated to be 2.0 percent for the month. The brand’s share of the overall European automotive market (including the BT-50) is estimated at 1.8 percent in February, an increase of 0.1 ppt compared to last February.

Mazda also achieved its highest February market shares in both mature and new Mazda markets – in the UK and Spain, predicted at 2.4 and 1.1 percent, and in Turkey and Poland, estimated at 1.1 and 1.0 percent respectively. In the Ukraine, Mazda achieved an excellent market share as well in February, predicted to be 5 percent.

Government incentives have encouraged some consumers into buying cars again in Germany, where Mazda has performed very well of late. Last month, official KBA registrations stood at 6,153 units, which is up over 21 percent vs. 2008, the second straight month of sales increases for the brand. Positive signs were also visible in Russia, where Mazda achieved its second-highest February retail volume ever, at 4,927 units. And in five countries – Slovenia, Poland, Turkey, Belarus and Algeria – Mazda sales volumes were at record monthly levels.