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Mazda North American Operations Honored by CIO Magazine For Top Internet/Intranet Site

2 July 1999

Mazda North American Operations Honored by CIO Magazine For Top Internet/Intranet Site

    FRAMINGHAM, Mass., July 1 -- CIO magazine has named Mazda
North American Operations a 1999 CIO Web Business 50/50 winner for its online
business excellence award.  Each year CIO magazine recognizes 50 Internet and
50 Intranet/Extranet sites that go beyond customary Web commerce practices to
deliver outstanding business value.  The third annual CIO award program
distinguishes organizations around the world that have taken a distinct
approach toward the use of the Internet or Intranet in their business.  "This
year's winners show that more operational capability, direct customer contact
and bottom-line business value is migrating to the Web.  It's impossible to
ignore the depth of the transformation that is occurring in enterprises of
every shape and size," says CIO editorial director Lew McCreary.
    A panel of CIO magazine editors, writers, art designers and Web
development experts select the winners.  The panel of judges evaluates
hundreds of nominated sites for their ability to use innovative Web techniques
to deliver greater business value.  The judges measure how well the blend of
technology and design contributes to the organization's overall business
objectives as well as the site's ability to meet the needs of the target
audience.
    The Mazda North American Operations electronic service information
Intranet site fulfills a number of objectives, including the delivery of
accurate, timely and user friendly service information to Mazda dealers and
corporate staff.  By providing the most current factory repair information to
the dealership, customer satisfaction will greatly improve.  Through this
innovative technology, dealers are able to detect and repair problems
correctly the first time.  Compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) regulations has also been achieved by delivering electronic
service repair information through the Intranet site.  Finally, the site
increases operational effectiveness through a reduction in printing, mailing
and distribution costs of technical documentation to Mazda dealers.
    With the advent of the 21st century, the use of Web technology has become
an essential component of any organization's strategic plan.  CIO honors the
100 sites that have increased the level for online quality and challenged
other organizations to uncover the potential of the Net.  Of the 226 entries
in the Intranet category, Mazda was selected as one of the top 50 leaders in
its field.  Complete coverage of the 1999 CIO Web Business 50/50 Awards is
featured in the July 1, 1999 issue of CIO and at http://www.cio.com.
    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 750 dealerships nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor
Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan.