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Mazda Resurgence Continues With Strong August Sales

2 September 1998

Mazda Resurgence Continues With Strong August Sales; Overall Total is Highest Since March 1995
    IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1 -- Mazda's resurgence in the U.S.
market continued today with the announcement of the company's highest monthly
sales total since March 1995.  Total sales reached 30,761 units in August, a
36.8 percent increase over last year, marking the second straight month of
year-over-year sales gains.
    "Our sales performance in August is something that every Mazda employee
and dealer can take pride in," said Richard Beattie, president and CEO of
Mazda North American Operations.  "We believe that this achievement is a
reflection of consumer interest in our new products, from the 626 midsize
sedan and B-Series pickup truck to the all-new Miata roadster.  Things should
only get better as we add the all-new Protege compact sedan this fall and
relaunch our flagship Millenia luxury sedan."
    Mazda's August sales were highlighted by especially strong showings by the
new-for-1998 Mazda 626 midsize sedan, which tallied 10,871 sales in August, up
86.8 percent from last August and the award-winning Millenia luxury sedan,
which totaled 3,941 sales for the month, an increase of 95.3 percent over the
year earlier figure.  Sales of the all-new Miata roadster surged 71.4 percent
in August, reaching 2,515 units.
    Overall, Mazda's year-to-date sales total is up 7.7 percent over the 1997
year-to-date figure despite an overall softness in the U.S. automotive market.


                           MAZDA SALES FOR AUGUST 1998


                              MONTH-TO-DATE               YEAR-TO-DATE
                       August 1998   August 1997  August 1998   August 1997
    Total Vehicles
     CARS                   25,182        17,498      148,772       137,129
     TRUCKS                  5,579         4,995       28,579        27,596
     TOTAL                  30,761        22,493      177,351       164,725
    Imported Vehicles
     CARS                   14,311        11,521       79,786        79,974
     TRUCKS                      0             0            0             0
     TOTAL                  14,311        11,521       79,786        79,974
    U.S. Produced Vehicles
     CARS                   10,871         5,977       68,986        57,155
     TRUCKS                  5,579         4,995       28,579        27,596
     TOTAL                  16,450        10,972       97,565        84,751


                              MONTH-TO-DATE             YEAR-TO-DATE
                       August 1998   August 1997  August 1998   August 1997

    Imported Vehicles By Model:
    Passenger Cars
     323                         0             0            0             0
     Protege                 6,433         6,015       41,121        39,727
     MX-3                        0             0            0             7
     626                         0             0            0             0
     MX-6                        0             0            0             0
     RX-7                        0             0            2            11
     929                         0             0            0             7
     Millenia                3,941         2,018       14,316        12,654
     MPV                     1,394         1,849        8,601        10,101
     Miata                   2,515         1,467       15,336        14,525
    Trucks
     4x2                         0             0            0             0
     4x4                         0             0            0             0
     MPV Van                     0             0            0             0
    U.S. Produced Vehicles By Model:
    Cars
     626                    10,843         5,805       68,576        54,213
     MX-6                       28           172          410         2,942
    Trucks
     B-Series Total          5,579         4,995       28,579        27,596
     4x2                     4,527         4,618       22,476        24,384
     4x4                     1,052           377        6,103         3,208
     Navajo                      0             0            0             4