[Stéphane Dumas]

from http://media.ford.com/newsroom/relea...?release=23752

MAZDA SALES JUMP EIGHT PERCENT IN JUNE

- Calendar Year-to-Date Sales up Four Percent -

IRVINE, Calif. – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported sales of 23,727 vehicles for June 2006, accounting for an eight-percent increase versus the same period last year. Mazda also reported a four-percent year-to-date sales increase, with 140,704 units sold through June.

Mazda’s all-new CX-7 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) reported solid sales of 1,349 units for its first full month of sales, even though availability was low in some areas of the country. With a starting MSRP of $23,750, CX-7 features a 244-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine, yet still delivers an estimated 23 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

MAZDA 3 celebrated its best-ever June with sales of 9,452 units, up 19-percent, despite a continuing lack of inventory resulting in only a 39-day supply (approximately 60 days is considered optimal). The MX-5 Miata posted its best June since 2002 with sales of 1,584 units and was also constrained by a lack of inventory. The innovative MAZDA 5 multi-activity vehicle continues to create a new market segment, with sales for the month of 1,705 and for the year of 9,511.

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 and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.