macdaddyslomo

VICTORIA, Australia -- Mazda Motor Corporation_s revolutionary rotary-powered,
four-door, four-seat sports car _ the RX-8 -- has been named 2003 Car of the Year by
Australian-based Wheels magazine.

Now in its 41st year, the Wheels Car
of the Year is the world_s oldest,
continuously-running new car award
and Australia_s most coveted
automobile prize.

The Mazda RX-8 was awarded the
Wheels prize ahead of 28 eligible
vehicles. Eight judges spent six days
driving the cars over thousands of
kilometers at a proving ground and
on public roads. The winner was
selected by secret ballot.

_The Mazda RX-8 represents the birth of a new and worthwhile category of car,_ said
Wheels editor Ged Bulmer. _The RX-8 has achieved a genuine sports coupe
experience, complete with four doors and four seats, thanks to a daring, ingenious
design. It_s good looking, clever, great to drive and a worthy winner of the Wheels Car
of the Year."

_The Mazda RX-8 is the fruit of great effort and passion put forth by the entire Mazda
team -- from research and development and manufacturing to sales and marketing,"
said Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda president. "It offers customers the driving pleasure and
technical innovations they expect from Mazda, including a rotary engine.

"Receiving the 2003 Car of the Year award from Wheels magazine is a great honour
for Mazda, as it is proof that our new-generation products, including Mazda6, Mazda2
and Mazda3, are broadly appreciated in all global markets," continued Imaki. "The
RX-8 is Mazda_s brand icon. It embodies everything that is great about this company.
And our efforts will continue: Mazda will strive to put its collective effort into creating
fun-to-drive, zoom-zoom products._

To date, the Mazda RX-8 has been named RJC Car of the Year 2004, 2003-2004
Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Production Car of the Year, and the 2003-2004 Japan
Car of the Year Most Fun special award.

In addition, the RENESIS, which powers the RX-8 and is the only mass production
rotary engine in the world, was named International Engine of the Year 2003 and RJC
Technology of the Year 2004.

Mazda has regularly enjoyed Wheels Car of the Year success. Mazda has won the
award five times, making it the most successful full-line importer in the Australian
market. Past winners were the 323 in 1980, the MX-5 in 1989 and the 626 in 1983 and
1992.

Wheels magazine is Australia_s best-selling general interest motoring magazine and
has a readership of 507,000 per issue, making it the country_s second most widely
read magazine.