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Production of the Mazda Miata Reaches 500,000 Units

10 February 1999

Production of the Mazda Miata Reaches 500,000 Units; Milestone Reached During Miata's 10th Anniversary Celebration

    IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 10 -- Mazda North American Operations
today announced that Mazda Motor Corporation has reached production of 500,000
units of the Mazda Miata, making it the world's favorite sports car based on a
decade of cumulative production.  This milestone coincides with the
introduction of the 10th Anniversary Edition Miata, a limited production,
commemorative-edition model celebrating ten years of "Miata-mania."
    Mazda Motor Corporation president James E. Miller drove the 500,000th
Miata off the assembly line at a history-making ribbon-cutting ceremony held
at Mazda's Ujina plant in Hiroshima, Japan.  In an address to Mazda employees
and local media, Miller said, "This production record for a two-seat sports
car is a milestone in which Mazda can take great pride before the world."
Afterwards, congratulatory messages from Miata clubs around the world were
delivered, including one from the Miata Club of America, the largest single
marque car club in the United States.
    Sold in more than 50 countries, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is an automotive icon
responsible for the roadster renaissance.
    Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) 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.