Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally Visits Mazda Headquarters

JCN Newswires, Feb 28, 2007

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 27, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation welcomed Alan Mullaly, president and CEO of the Ford Motor Company, to Mazda headquarters in western Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture today. Ford is Mazda's largest shareholder and strategic business partner, and this was Mulally's first visit to Mazda in Hiroshima. Mazda's President and CEO, Hizakazu Imaki, and several Mazda senior executive officers greeted Mulally at Mazda's head office.

Said Mulally, "Ford and Mazda have one of the most successful partnerships in automotive history. I firmly believe that Mazda's employees are committed to achieving sustained and continued growth going forward. Mazda is, and will continue to be, a key partner in Ford Motor Company's business plans - particularly in the areas of R&D, product development and manufacturing. The relationship between the two companies' top management has never been better, and I fully expect the deep ties between Ford and Mazda to extend into the future and become even stronger."

Mazda's President Imaki welcomed Mulally, adding, "Everyone at Mazda recognizes that product-led growth is one of the best contributions we can make to our partnership with Ford as we continue our efforts to strengthen the Mazda brand. In the future, I would like to further develop our global cooperation with Ford."

During his visit, Mulally toured Mazda's production facilities near its headquarters and delivered a motivational address to approximately 200 senior Mazda employees in the company's auditorium.

In 1979, Ford and Mazda entered into a capital tie-up when Ford acquired 25 percent of Mazda shares. Ford raised its stake in Mazda to 33.4 percent in 1996, strengthening the strategic relationship. Former Ford Chairman and CEO, Bill Ford, visited Mazda in June 2004 as Mazda and Ford celebrated the 25th anniversary of their historic capital tie-up. Today's visit by Mulally comes two years and eight months after the last visit to Mazda by Ford's top-ranking executive.

About Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda Motor Corporation (TSE: 7261) started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. Overseas sales account for more than half of total turnover. Mazda has two main production sites in Japan and 19 overseas facilities. Overseas sites include joint ventures based in the United States, and in Thailand with Ford Motor Company, Mazda's largest shareholder.

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

Contact:

Mazda Motor Corporation
Ms. Mayumi Handa
handa.ma@tky.mazda.co.jp
 81-82-282-1111

Copyright [c] 2007 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network K.K.