Mazda Commences Production of All-New Biante Minivan; Job#1 Ceremony Held at Headquarters Plant to Celebrate Production Kickoff

JCN Newswires, May 26, 2008

Hiroshima, May 26, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation today held a commemorative ceremony to mark the production kickoff of the all-new Mazda Biante minivan at its Ujina Plant No.1 (U1) near Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima. Sales of the Mazda Biante are scheduled to commence in Japan on July 8, 2008.

Approximately 550 people, including Mazda's Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, together with executive officers, union representatives and employees, gathered at the Job#1 ceremony to celebrate the Mazda Biante's production launch.

President Imaki greeted the attendees, saying, "The launch of the all-new Biante marks Mazda's entry into Japan's mid-size 'tall' minivan segment. In terms of sales volume, it is second only to the compact car segment, where we introduced the all-new Mazda Demio last year.

"As the latest product to embody Mazda's Zoom-Zoom tradition, the Mazda Biante will enable us to appeal to an even wider range of customers with vehicles that 'look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.' Going forward under the banner of our 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' declaration, Mazda will continue to pursue harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features. And we will work all the harder to build vehicles of even better quality for our customers."

The eight-seat Biante minivan was developed under the concept, "Look, then experience the Zoom-Zoom Tall minivan as it expands your dreams." The Biante offers best-in-class* cabin space, a fresh and comfortable "clean interior," and distinctive, athletic styling. With its dynamic driving performance, the Biante offers all passengers an enticing blend of security and excitement.

Further information and images are available on the Biante custom website (in Japanese only) at: http://www.biante.mazda.co.jp/pre/

* The most interior space in the 2,000cc minivan class (3 rows of seats, domestically manufactured people carrier) based on cabin length, height and width. According to a survey conducted by Mazda in May 2008.

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. For more information, please visit www.mazda.com .

Source: Mazda Motor Corporation

Contact:

Mazda Motor Corporation
Corporate Communications Division
Phone :  81-3-3508-5056 (Tokyo)
Phone :  81-82-282-5253 (Hiroshima)

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