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Mazda Celebrates Successful 1998, Looks to Prosper in 1999

5 January 1999

Mazda Celebrates Successful 1998, Looks to Prosper in 1999; Company Posted 8.4 Percent Sales Gain Last Year

    DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- With the books now closed for 1998, Mazda
North American Operations (MNAO) officially completed the company's best year
since 1995, and has begun looking toward greater success for the new year.
    "One of the primary goals that I and my management team at Mazda set out
to accomplish in 1998 has been achieved," said Richard Beattie, president and
CEO of MNAO.  "We have reversed Mazda's sales declines of the mid-'90s and we
have done it the right way -- by increasing retail sales with new products, an
improved dealer body, better marketing and a lot of hard work from our
employees and dealers.  We expect that 1999 will be even better as we continue
to build on these strengths and add important new products such as the
2000 model year MPV that we are announcing here today."
    Mazda's U.S. total sales rose 8.4 percent in 1998, led by the company's
newest vehicle lines, the Protege compact sedan (up 8.2 percent), 626 midsize
sedan (up 20.2 percent), Miata roadster (up 15.2 percent) and B-Series
4x4 compact pickup trucks (up 70.0 percent).
    The European-styled 1999 Protege, which went on sale in the fall, has
received acclaim from media and consumers alike.  The editors of Consumers
Digest have already selected the Protege as a Best Buy for 1999.
    The popular Mazda 626 midsize sedan, which was new for the 1998 model
year, has established itself as a strong contender in the marketplace.  The
editors of Consumer Guide have named the 626 as a Best Buy for 1999.
    The 1999 Miata roadster was introduced in the spring of 1998 and has been
heralded as a successful remake of the modern affordable sports car.  In fact,
Car and Driver magazine has selected it as one of the "10 Best" cars for the
second year in a row and Automobile Magazine has named it an "All-Star" for
1999.  The Miata has also been selected as a Consumers Digest Best Buy for
1999.
    Mazda's B-Series compact pickup trucks are the only import-brand pickups
to offer the convenience of a four-door extended-cab model -- the Cab Plus 4.
In addition, Mazda has adopted a new, more aggressive marketing direction with
the B-Series, focusing on the youthful imagery and edginess of motocross
motorcycle racing.  This is a natural tie-in for Mazda as it is the title
sponsor of the AMA Mazda Truck National Motocross Series.
    In addition to the Protege, 626, Miata and B-Series, Mazda sells the
award-winning Millenia luxury sedan in the United States and will add the
all-new front-wheel-drive MPV minivan to its lineup later in 1999.  The Mazda
Millenia S features the only automotive application of the unique Miller-cycle
engine, which provides the power of a larger engine with the efficiency of a
smaller one.
    Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan, recently announced its
strongest financial performance in six years, led by a group net profit of
$62.8 million for the first half of fiscal 1999 on sales of $7.8 billion, a
3.5 percent increase.
    Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the research and
development, sales and marketing, and customer parts and service support of
Mazda vehicles in the United States.  Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO
has approximately 800 dealerships nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor
Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan.