Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the following executive officer changes, effective June 24, 2005.

Joseph Bakaj, senior managing executive officer in charge of Research and Development (R&D), will return to the Ford Motor Company; Bakaj’s next assignment will be the subject of a future announcement by Ford. Seita Kanai will leave his current assignment of managing executive officer for vehicle development and technical affairs to succeed Bakaj as managing executive officer in charge of R&D. A. Kumar Galhotra will join Mazda from Ford as executive officer and general manager responsible for the Program Management Division.

Galhotra joined the Ford Motor Company in 1988, subsequently gaining years of experience primarily in product development. From February 2004, he also led the development of all Ford small front-wheel drive/rear-wheel drive (FWD/RWD) vehicles while serving as Vehicle Programs Director.

Mazda President and CEO Hisakazu Imaki said, “Though we are sorry to see Joe Bakaj return to Ford, I want to thank him for the numerous contributions he made to Mazda’s improved business performance, and I wish him every success in the future.” Imaki added: “With the addition of Kumar Galhotra as a new executive officer, I would like to see the great cooperation we’ve witnessed between Ford and Mazda in developing competitive products continue unabated. Anchored by this new management team, I want to maintain the product-driven growth track we have established in order to assure the success of Mazda Momentum.”

Attached, please find a complete list of Mazda Directors, Executive Officers and Auditors effective from June 24, 2005 after the Board of Directors meeting that follows the 139th General Shareholders Meeting. [Click here]