| September 4, 1997 |
NEW 626 OFF TO FAVORABLE START IN JAPAN
- Two Weeks After its Introduction, Orders Exceed Monthly Target -
Mazda Motor Corporation announced today that orders for its new Capella (626) are far above projections and off to a favorable start.In Japan as of September 2, cumulative orders for the first two weeks since its August 20 introduction totaled 2,500 units, more than one third of the company's sales target of 6,000 units for its first three months.
Popular points for customers include the world's first SRS side airbags with head and body protection function, the Mazda Geometric Motion Absorption or MAGMA safety body with high vehicle rigidity, as well as its "upright packaging," with a spacious, comfortable interior cabin and a wide variety of seat arrangements.
Specifically, the models equipped with SRS head protection side airbags were selected by 70% of the buyers for a high attention to safety. In other models, the fully equipped "Gi-R" version powered by the 1800cc engine was preferred by 37% of customers, while the 2000cc engine equipped high-power, sporty "Zi-R" version followed with 30%. In body color, "Highlight Silver" accounted for 46% of orders, followed by "Chaste white" at 16%, and "Excellent Green" at 14%.
Sales in Europe are also off to a favorable start mainly in Germany, Holland, England, with orders well-above the original plan.
In order to respond to the active demand for Mazda's new 626 (Capella) in Japan and overseas, and the start of production of the new 626 (Capella) Station Wagon, the company will return to a two-shift system at the Hofu Plant I in Yamaguchi prefecture where the 626 is produced, for the first time in a year and 11 months.
