[Takashi Yamanouchi, Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO]

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you very much for coming to today's launch of the all-new Mazda6 (Mazda Atenza).

We are calling the new Mazda6 our flagship model. Most automotive brands pour their very best into the development of a mid-size car, which comes to represent the brand, and for us the Mazda6 is that car. First let me tell you why the Mazda6 is such a significant car to Mazda.

Exactly ten years ago, in May 2002, we launched the first generation Mazda6 in Japan. Mazda was struggling back then, and the Mazda6 was the first all-new model to be introduced for 18 months. It was to herald a revival for the company. I vividly recall commenting at the time that this would be one of the most unforgettable cars in Mazda's 82-year-history.

The first generation Mazda6, which was an embodiment of Zoom-Zoom, the brand message of the new Mazda, was equipped with a new powertrain and platform to thoroughly pursue driving pleasure and was introduced to global markets. Thanks to this driving pleasure we offer through the Mazda6, to date we have sold a total of over 2.4 million first and second generation Mazda6s and this highly acclaimed model has received a total of 186 awards all over the globe.

Introduced at the same time as the new Mazda6, our new brand message, 'Zoom-Zoom' was also epoch-making. We rolled out a global campaign, expressing the emotion of, and longing for, motion first experienced in childhood in a simple, single word. Then, Mazda defined its brand DNA; Stylish, Insightful and Spirited in order to consistently provide exhilarating driving experiences to our customers and has been committed to making products and marketing that realize the DNA. Thanks to warm support from all over the world, Mazda has received over 700 awards globally for our product making efforts, including car of the year awards in various countries, and our Zoom-Zoom line has been heard on people's lips and has been recognized as a popular brand message.

Ten years have passed and now Mazda stands at the beginning of a new stage in our 92-year-long history. In February this year, Mazda launched the first of a new generation of products that adopt the full-range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO design; the CX-5. We are pleased to say that the CX-5 is a big-seller all over the world. In every market orders for the car have far exceeded our expectations. Unfortunately there are still customers who are waiting for their new cars to arrive. And we are striving to meet demand. We increased production volume once during the August holidays this year, and another increase is scheduled for the year-end holidays.

So today, as we launch the third generation Mazda6, it feels like a wonderful twist of fate to again say that I believe this car will be remembered as one of the brightest stars in Mazda history. This vehicle is the second of our new generation products and comprises the very best of our technology and craftsmanship in addition to the KODO design. The Mazda6 is our flagship model that can rightly be called the epitome of SKYACTIV technology. It achieves a perfect harmony between driving pleasure and outstanding environment and safety performance.

About 5 million CD cars are sold per year around the world; the bulk of those in China and the US, and it is an extremely competitive market. The Mazda6 will be sold in over 120 countries including Australia, Japan, China and countries throughout Europe and North America and we aim to sell 240,000 units per year globally. In Japan, we plan to sell 1000 all-new Mazda6s per month.

As with the CX-5, both Mazda6 sedan and wagon are available with the SKYACTIV 2.2-liter diesel engine, and we aim to further expand the clean diesel market in Japan. Also, with the introduction of the SKYACTIV 2.5-liter gasoline engine, and the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission to Japan we are offering customers more variations of the SKYACTIV driving experience to enjoy.

SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, first introduced with the CX-5 has been further refined and incorporated into the Mazda6. All model grades in Japan feature i-stop and for the first time Mazda's new brake energy regeneration system, i-ELOOP. In a world-first for passenger vehicles, i-ELOOP uses a capacitor to store regenerated electricity and power the car's electrical components. The combination of i-ELOOP and i-stop is expected to yield about a 10% increase in fuel economy.

Thanks to the implementation of the full range of SKYACTIV technologies, the new Mazda6 with SKYACTIV gasoline engine delivers 30 to 40% better fuel economy than the previous generation and the SKYACTIV diesel engine model offers an over-70% improvement compared to the previous 2.5-liter gasoline engine model. The all-new Mazda6 with the SKYACTIV diesel engine model achieves a fuel economy of 22.4 km/L, equivalent to that of a hybrid in the same class, while boasting the torque of a 4-liter V8 engine model.

Furthermore, the all-new Mazda6 is equipped with Mazda's advanced safety i-ACTIVSENSE technologies, which aid the driver in the safe operation of the vehicle.

Now let me summarize the significance of the all-new Mazda6 for our business.

Firstly, it is a hallmark of the Mazda brand. As was the case ten years ago, the new Mazda6 turns a new page for the Mazda brand. That is, it marks the first step of a journey toward the dream of Mazda becoming a premium brand. I don't mean a premium brand that sells highly priced luxury cars. Mazda aims to become a premium brand in the sense that it builds strong bonds with its customers and holds a special place in their lives. With this in mind, we have developed a new color, possibly the world's most beautiful red, which we call SOUL RED. This new color, which symbolizes the new image of the Mazda brand, is available for the first time with the Mazda6.

Secondly, the model is one of the fruits of MONOTSUKURI Innovation. I have repeatedly said that we could make Mazda profitable exporting from Japan even with exchange rates of 77 yen for one US dollar or 100 yen for one euro by streamlining development, production and procurement through MONOTSUKURI innovation. Since the introduction of the new generation of products starting with the CX-5, the effects of the cost improvements yielded by MONOTSUKURI Innovation have been remarkable. We expect the introduction of the Mazda6 to make a further contribution to increased earnings. Furthermore, in line with our global strategy, the all-new Mazda6 will be produced in China and Russia as well as the plant in Hofu, Japan.

Thirdly, its release is accompanied by Sales Innovation. We are determined to further accelerate innovation on the sales and customer service front line. This includes selling this flagship model at a price appropriate for its product appeal and improvement of residual value, and development of the dealership outlet environment and more refined high-quality customer service.

Since introducing the all-new Mazda6 sedan at the Moscow Motor Show at the end of August, we have revealed it at the September Paris Motor Show, the October Sydney Motor Show and now here in Japan. In each case the car has received an enthusiastic response and high acclaim. In fact, it was named the best vehicle in the mid-size segment at the Moscow Motor Show.

On one hand, orders in Japan started on October 6 ahead of the rest of the world. At the present point in time orders have already reached 4,300 units, more than four times the monthly target volume, making an excellent start. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to those customers who, understanding our passion and how much we have riding on this model, have placed an order.

Right now there is momentum within Mazda, just as there was 10 years ago when we solemnly promised to change and bring forth a new Mazda in order to overcome our biggest crisis. Perhaps it is even stronger now. In order to offer customers that which has consistently been our focus at Mazda, the celebration of driving, every employee in the Mazda group has united in their efforts to bring you the Mazda6. I hope you will feel the passion I have talked about when you get behind the wheel of Mazda's new flagship. Thank you for your attention.