MAZDA NEWSROOM｜Mazda Reports Third Quarter Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2008

NEWS RELEASES

Feb. 4, 2009

Investor Relations

Mazda Reports Third Quarter Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2008

FY2008 Third Quarter (April-December 2008) Overview

-	Global retail sales volume down one percent year-on-year to 964,000 units
-	Consolidated sales revenue down 17 percent year-on-year to 2,087.9 billion yen
-	Consolidated operating profit fell 66 percent year-on-year to 36.5 billion yen
-	Consolidated net income down 36 percent year-on-year to 28.9 billion yen
-	FY2008 full year projections reflect deteriorating global sales environment and recent exchange rate movements
-	Mazda sales in Europe and China up year-on-year
-	Year end dividend has not been determined yet

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today reported its financial results for the first nine months (April to December) of fiscal year (FY) 2008 and announced its full year financial projections.

FY2008 Third Quarter (April-December) Results
Mazda’s consolidated sales revenue was 2,087.9 billion yen in the first nine months of FY2008, down 17 percent over the same period in FY2007. Operating profit was 36.5 billion yen, down 66 percent versus the prior year, reflecting the yen’s appreciation against key currencies and a sharp deterioration in the global sales environment. Ordinary profit decreased 42 percent year-on-year to 52.1 billion yen, reflecting forward exchange contract gains. Consolidated net income was 28.9 billion yen, down 36 percent compared to the same period last year.

Mazda sold 964,000 vehicles globally in the first nine months of FY2008, down one percent versus the same period in 2007, due to a sharp slowdown in sales which began in the third quarter.

In Europe, Mazda achieved a year-on-year sales increase of six percent, to 242,000 units. Retail sales in China rose 38 percent over the prior year to 97,000 units, thanks to a sales boost resulting from the introduction of the new Mazda2 and a strong contribution from Mazda6 sales.

The sales volume in Japan was 164,000 units, down six percent year-on-year despite the newly launched Mazda Biante and Mazda Atenza (known as Mazda6 overseas) models’ positive effect on sales.

North American sales were 271,000 units through the third quarter, down 10 percent when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Of this, the US sales volume was 186,000 units. The new Mazda6 was well received, but this did not offset lower sales of existing models, resulting in a year-on-year decline of 14 percent. Mazda’s share in the US rose 0.1 points during this period.

In other markets, combined total sales volume was down five percent to 190,000 units.

FY2008 Full Year Forecasts
Mazda has revised all FY2008 full year projections downward, reflecting the sharp deterioration in the sales environment of global markets since October, and the expected impact of a further appreciation of the yen against key currencies. Sales revenue is projected to come in at 2,550.0 billion yen, a decrease of 27 percent compared with the prior year. Operating profit is forecast to be down 187.1 billion yen, resulting in an operating loss of 25 billion yen. However, ordinary profit is forecast to be limited to a loss of 15 billion yen mainly due to exchange hedging, and net income is projected to be negative 13 billion yen. Due to the rapid deterioration in business conditions, the share dividend has not been determined yet.

Mazda’s full year global retail sales forecast has been reduced to 1.24 million units, down 123,000 units compared to the prior year. This mainly reflects the sharp decline in sales in Europe and in other markets, where strong sales were achieved in the first half of the fiscal year. We now project year-on-year sales declines in all markets except China.

FY2008 Full Year Projections

	FY2008 Projections	FY2007 financial results	Increase/ Decrease	Note: FY2008 projections disclosed in Oct. 2008
Global retail volume	1,240,000 units	1,363,000 units	down 9%	1,405,000 units
Sales revenue	2,550.0 billion yen	3,475.8 billion yen	down 27%	3,000 billion yen
Operating profit	-25.0 billion yen	162.1 billion yen	-	90.0 billion yen
Ordinary profit	-15.0 billion yen	148.5 billion yen	-	90.0 billion yen
Profit before tax	-20.0 billion yen	143.1 billion yen	-	83.0 billion yen
Net income	-13.0 billion yen	91.8 billion yen	-	50.0 billion yen

Exchange rate

Yen / US Dollar	100 yen	114 yen	-14 yen	100 yen
Yen / Euro	144 yen	162 yen	-18 yen	150 yen

Dollar/Euro Equivalents

April-December 2008 Third Quarter Financial Results

Unit: millions

	Yen	US$	Euro
Sales revenue	2,087,900	22,933.9	16,318.1
Operating profit	36,500	400.9	285.3
Ordinary profit	52,100	572.3	407.2
Net income	28,900	317.4	225.9

Notes:

-	Dollar equivalents compiled at 91.04 yen to the dollar (Exchange rate prevailing on Dec. 30, 2008).
-	Euro equivalents compiled at 127.95 yen to the Euro (Exchange rate prevailing on Dec. 30, 2008).

Disclaimer
The projections for FY2008 and future outlook shown in this press release are based on various uncertainties including without limitation the conditions of the world economy in the future, automotive industry trends and the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Please be aware that Mazda’s actual performance may differ substantially from these projections. Please note that neither Mazda nor any third party providing information shall be responsible for any damage an individual may suffer due to investment in Mazda based on the information contained in this press release.

For additional financial information, please visit the Investor Relations section in the Mazda official website at www.mazda.com/investors/.

Back Lists