HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has delivered one dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle, which runs either on gasoline or hydrogen, to the Yamaguchi Prefecture government through a commercial lease contract. The Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE model's duel-fuel system allows a driver to select either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch.

RX-8 Hydrogen RE "Yamaguchi Govemment"

To date, Mazda has supplied one RX-8 Hydrogen RE each to two private companies as well as the Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City government authorities in Japan. The four cars leased so far have been used in both special events and for daily operations. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE that was handed over to Yamaguchi Prefecture today is the fifth vehicle to be delivered in line with Mazda's plan to lease around ten vehicles to local governments or energy-related industries by the end of 2006.

Mazda developed this unique hybrid rotary engine technology as part of its effort to promote an environmentally friendly society. It attained approval to test the vehicle on public roads in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in October 2004, and began leasing in February 2006.

"Some of Mazda's major facilities, like the Hofu plant and Mine Proving Ground, are located in Yamaguchi prefecture. Accordingly, we are very pleased to be working together with the Yamaguchi prefecture government authorities to further the promise of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE and that they have introduced this vehicle into service," said Mazda's Executive Vice President in charge of corporate liaison and purchasing, Mutsumi Fujiwara. "In the years ahead, we will further our efforts in environmental technologies as it is a responsibility of automakers like Mazda."