October 2008 Sales: Mazda North American Operations

[VenSeattle]

Mazda Reports October 2008 Sales

Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/

Link to Press Release

- MAZDA5 Records its Best October Ever -

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations

(MNAO) today reported October 2008 sales of 16,442, down 25.9 percent

versus last year, and year-to-date sales of 231,850, down 7.5 percent.

Bucking the sales trend with an incredible sales month was the MAZDA5

multi-activity vehicle. With sales of 1,921, volume was up nearly four

times over 2007. On a year-to-date basis, the MAZDA5 is up an astonishing

51.8 percent.

"Whether the auto industry mirrors the state of business in general, or

whether business mirrors the industry, is hard to say. What is sure,

though, is that it's a roller-coaster ride every day -- one day it looks

like we're turning the corner while the next it seems that the hill ahead

is ever-steeper," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "Cars like

MAZDA5, though, are proof that Mazda's vehicle lineup is as strong as any

manufacturers', and we're in a great position to gain when the market

turns." The all-new 2009 MAZDA6, which arrived at dealerships across the

country in September, continues its strong start. The new MAZDA6 features a

larger body than the outgoing car, as well as more powerful -- and more

fuel efficient -- engine choices.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) celebrated its best-ever October with

sales of 1,994 vehicles, up 30 percent versus last year. On a year-to-date

basis, MMdM reported 17,299 total sales, accounting for a 33 percent

increase versus last year. The all-new MAZDA6 also had a record month with

393 vehicles sold, up 125 percent versus last October. Mazda Canada Inc.

(MCI) reported September sales of 6,109 units, up slightly compared to

October 2007.

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 - October 2008

                      Month-To-Date                    Year-To-Date

            October  October   %     %MTD   October   October    %      %YTD
              2008   2007   Change    DSR     2008     2007    Change    DSR

    Mazda3   6,095  8,157  (25.3)%  (39.0)%  96,351  103,493   (6.9)%  (8.2)%
    Mazda5   1,921    558   244.3%    69.8%  17,638   11,623    51.8%   33.6%
    Mazda6   4,040  4,188   (3.5)%   (7.7)%  46,277   48,216   (4.0)%  (5.0)%
    MX-5
     Miata     377    911  (58.6)% (150.9)%  10,368   13,627  (23.9)% (32.5)%
    RX-8       190    318  (40.3)%  (73.8)%   3,055    5,138  (40.5)% (69.5)%
    CX-7     1,497  3,280  (54.4)% (127.5)%  24,555   35,285  (30.4)% (44.8)%
    CX-9     1,812  3,145  (42.4)%  (80.2)%  22,281   19,631    13.5%   11.2%
    Tribute    418  1,516  (72.4)% (276.6)%  10,145   11,100   (8.6)% (10.3)%
    B-Series
     Truck      92    128  (28.1)%  (44.5)%   1,180    2,363  (50.1)%(101.8)%
    MPV          -     -     N/A      N/A        -       125 (100.0)%   N/A

    Total Vehicles

    CARS    12,623 14,132  (10.7)%  (16.3)% 173,689  182,097   (4.6)%  (5.7)%
    TRUCKS   3,819  8,069  (52.7)% (119.4)%  58,161   68,504  (15.1)% (18.7)%

    TOTAL   16,442 22,201  (25.9)%  (40.2)% 231,850  250,601   (7.5)%  (8.9)%


    MEMO:

    IMPORT
     CAR     8,583  9,944  (13.7)%          127,412  133,881   (4.8)%
    IMPORT
     TRUCK   3,309  6,425  (48.5)%           46,836   55,041  (14.9)%
    IMPORT
     TOTAL  11,892 16,369  (27.4)%          174,248  188,922   (7.8)%

    DOMESTIC
     CAR     4,040  4,188   (3.5)%           46,277   48,216   (4.0)%
    DOMESTIC
     TRUCK     510  1,644  (69.0)%           11,325   13,463  (15.9)%
    DOMESTIC
     TOTALS  4,550  5,832  (22.0)%           57,602   61,679   (6.6)%

    Selling
     Days       27     26                       260      258

    Note:     MPV is a discontinued vehicle.