National Press Release

IRVINE, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported its best May in 12 years with 27,921 units sold in the U.S., a 4.2 percent increase over last year. Year-to-date sales are up 1.9 percent with 129,370 vehicles sold.

"Soaring fuel prices are driving customers to make sensible transportation choices; it's a new marketplace," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO, MNAO. "We're finding more and more buyers are shopping for the stylish, fun-to-drive, and affordable to own and operate cars and crossover SUVs that we build."

Heading Mazda's sales numbers and increases for the month, both the MAZDA3 compact sedan and the MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle reported best-ever May sales. MAZDA3 sales were up 13.0 percent with sales of 12,788, while the redesigned MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle reported sales of 2,072, up 43.0 percent over last year and 46.4 percent year-to-date.

The popular MAZDA6 showed a 9.1 percent increase in sales for May with 4,921 units sold. Mazda recently announced its all-new MAZDA6 sports sedan will launch later this year, with an expected on-sale date in late summer, 2008. The 2009 MAZDA6 features a larger interior and exterior size, more powerful engines and unique styling.

Mazda's crossover SUV lineup continues its strong sales momentum. CX-9, winner of the 2008 North American Truck of the Year and 2008 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year, reported sales of 2,448 units, up 29.3 percent versus last year. CX-7 recorded 2,529 units sold while Tribute sold 1,264 units in May, up 13.0 percent.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) celebrated its best-ever May with sales of 1,719 vehicles, up 14 percent versus last year. On a year-to-date basis, MMdM reported 8,375 total sales, accounting for a 34 percent increase.

Mazda Canada, Inc. reported a strong sales month for May with sales of 9,673 units, down slightly from its record-breaking May 2007 sales.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and in Puerto Rico by Mazda de Puerto Rico in San Juan.

                    Mazda North American Operations - May
                                     2008

                             Month-To-Date               Year-To-Date

                      May        May       %        May       May        %
                     2008       2007    Change     2008      2007     Change

    Mazda3          12,788     11,316    13.0%    49,129    51,288    (4.2)%
    Mazda5           2,072      1,449    43.0%    10,561     7,213    46.4%
    Mazda6           4,921      4,509     9.1%    29,378    28,870     1.8%
    MX-5 Miata       1,396      1,959   (28.7)%    6,085     7,995   (23.9)%
    RX-8               309        585   (47.2)%    1,548     2,791   (44.5)%
    CX-7             2,529      3,672   (31.1)%   13,999    16,352   (14.4)%
    CX-9             2,448      1,894    29.3%    11,393     7,362    54.8%
    Tribute          1,264      1,119    13.0%     6,568     3,575    83.7%
    B-Series Truck     194        286   (32.2)%      709     1,355   (47.7)%
    MPV                  -          -     N/A          -       121  (100.0)%

    Total Vehicles

    CARS            21,486     19,818     8.4%    96,701    98,157    (1.5)%

    TRUCKS           6,435      6,971    (7.7)%   32,669    28,765    13.6%

    TOTAL           27,921     26,789     4.2%   129,370   126,922     1.9%


    MEMO:

    IMPORT CAR      16,565     15,309     8.2%    67,323    69,287    (2.8)%
    IMPORT TRUCK     4,977      5,566   (10.6)%   25,392    23,835     6.5%
    IMPORT TOTAL    21,542     20,875     3.2%    92,715    93,122    (0.4)%

    DOMESTIC CAR     4,921      4,509     9.1%    29,378    28,870     1.8%
    DOMESTIC TRUCK   1,458      1,405     3.8%     7,277     4,930    47.6%
    DOMESTIC TOTALS  6,379      5,914     7.9%    36,655    33,800     8.4%

    Note:  MPV & Protege are discontinued vehicles.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations