Japan's Mazda Motor Corporation and a subsidiary company of Ford Motor Corporation have recently held a rollout ceremony for its all-new Mazda 2 which is popularly known as Demio in Japan at its Ujina Plant No. 1 (U1) close to Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima.

The said event was attended by almost five hundred fifty people of which includes Mazda's Executive Vice President Robert J. Graziano, together with other Mazda executive officers, employees, and union representatives---all gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new Mazda production. The very first car to come off the line, the Mazda 2 or Demio is designed for the Japanese market with sales scheduled to start in summer of this year, 2007.

Mr. Garziano cheerfully greeted the attendees saying, "The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda's new generation products to evolve to the next stage. While the current model was intended for the domestic market, the new model has been developed into a globally competitive car. I wish to congratulate you all on your hard work, which has now successfully brought us to the start of full mass production. I am convinced that the all-new Mazda2 will capture the hearts of our customers and demonstrate to drivers the world over that, 'Mazda vehicles look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.' The new Mazda2 offers an exhilarating driving experience that is the soul of Zoom-Zoom and we will continue to build cars with the strong understanding that safety and environmental friendliness are a vital part of making cars fun-to-drive."

The production of the Mazda 2 has focuses on weight reduction making it one hundred kilograms lighter than its predecessor and placing it among the fuel efficient vehicles in its class. It has also greatly improved the safety performance of the Mazda 2. And basing on Mazda's excellent driving dynamics, the all-new Mazda 2 meets the current demanding regulatory requirements and customer needs for excellent styling, economy, and maneuverability. The Mazda 2 is equipped with standard car accessories such as high quality car floor mats and more.

The all new-Mazda 2 European model was greeted warmly during its official launching at the Geneva Motor Show last March 2007 and the same reception was obtained by the vehicles at its Asian debut during the Shanghai Motor Show last April.

Aside from the continuing production of the all-new Mazda 2 at the U1 plant, additional Mazda 2 production will also begin at the Ujina Plant 2 (U2) in June 2007. Sales of the Mazda 2 will start in Japan and will be followed by Europe and Australia and then other markets. The production of Mazda 2 for the Chinese market will commence at the Changan Ford Mazda Nanjing plant scheduled by the end of 2007.

About Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Hiroshima, Japan. Starting last year the company has planned to produce 1.25 million vehicles per year with sales evenly distributed among its markets in Japan, Europe, and North America. Ford Motor Company owns a controlling interest of 33.4% of Mazda making it as one of its subsidiary companies.