2013 MAZDA CX-5 NAMED BEST CROSSOVER VEHICLE BY HISPANIC MOTOR PRESS AWARDS

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Nov 28, 2012, 11:08 ET

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2013 CX-5 today was named a Top Ten Car of 2013 by the jurors of the Hispanic Motor Press Awards. Selected as the best vehicle in the Crossover Vehicle category, CX-5 is Mazda's first vehicle to fully incorporate SKYACTIV®^{^[1]} TECHNOLOGY as well as the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language. Offering best-in-class combined fuel economy, including the highest highway miles per gallon (MPG) of any SUV sold in North America – hybrid or not – at 35 MPG, the 2013 CX-5 also boasts Zoom-Zoom-inspired driving dynamics and superior safety with its "Top Safety Pick" distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

"We are honored by this recognition from the Hispanic Motor Press Awards jury," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "The CX-5 is a consistent success in many respects with its outstanding handling, safety and fuel economy but also with its overall value to all consumers by being a vehicle that doesn't compromise, doesn't offer excuses, but instead exceeds expectations."

"Mazda has prevailed as the Japanese 'driver's' brand," said the Hispanic Motor Press Awards panel in a statement. "Their engineers broke new barriers in engine technology, and the Mazda CX-5 is the best example of a compact utility vehicle in the market today."

In its third year, the Hispanic Motor Press Awards are chosen by a 10-person panel of judges consisting of highly-respected Hispanic-market journalists, many with automotive backgrounds, as well as Hispanic leaders in the automotive industry. Only vehicles that are all new and available to consumers in all 50 states are eligible. Winners in the 10 vehicle categories are selected based on design, comfort, safety, fuel economy, handling, performance, functionality, price and driver satisfaction. More information on the Hispanic Motor Press Awards and this year's Top Ten vehicles can be found at www.hispanicmotorpressawards.com.

This is the second time Mazda has been recognized by the Hispanic automotive community. The 2011 MAZDASPEED3 was named Best 5-Door Vehicle during the awards' inaugural year.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

[1] SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations