---

Mazda Appoints Kristen Simmons Director of Marketing

1 March 2000

Mazda Appoints Kristen Simmons Director of Marketing

    IRVINE, Calif., March 1 -- Mazda North American Operations
today announced the promotion of Kristen Simmons to the position of Director
of Marketing, replacing Ron Neale who has resigned.
    Simmons joined MNAO nine months ago as Group Manager for Brand Strategy
and Communications.  Previously, from 1995 to 1999, she held several marketing
positions at Ford Motor Company, including Corporate Advertising Manager.
From 1992 to 1995, Simmons was Division Marketing Manager for a division of
The Polk Company.
    In announcing her appointment, Stephen Odell, Vice President of Marketing
and Sales, said Simmons was selected for the position because he saw her as a
key player in helping MNAO refocus its strategic marketing efforts.
    "Kristen has the talent and energy to effectively motivate her team to
launch the new 2001 Mazda Tribute SUV while laying the groundwork for a
revitalized marketing campaign that will further strengthen the Mazda brand
and increase awareness for our entire line of products," Odell said.
    Simmons received her BS in Business from the University of Virginia and
went on to earn an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School
of Business.

    Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is responsible for the sales and
marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United
States.  Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 750 dealerships
nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan.