2013 MAZDA3 AND 2014 MAZDA CX-5 NAMED 'TOP SAFETY PICK' BY INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

- Mazda's Best-Selling Vehicles Receive High Honors for Safety from IIHS -

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Jan 10, 2013, 06:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2013 Mazda3 and the 2014 Mazda CX-5 were just recognized as a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both vehicles received the organization's highest possible crash safety rating of "Good" in all frontal moderate overlap, side, rear impact, and roof strength tests."

"The Mazda3 and the CX-5 are two very important vehicles for Mazda and our customers," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "Both of these vehicles are outstanding performers on the road and it is only fitting that they perform at a high standard when it comes to safety. Receiving the 'Top Safety Pick' distinction is a testament to Mazda's dedication to building vehicles that will keep their occupants safe and sound."

Vehicles receive ratings based on results from the Institute's evaluations on front, side and rear impact crash tests as well as a roof strength test, which measures occupant protection in the event of a rollover. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion specific to each crash angle and the injury on crash test dummies positioned within the vehicles at the time of collision.

All 2014 CX-5 vehicles feature the full suite SKYACTIV®¹ technologies. The SKYACTIV-Body and SKYACTIV-Chassis help to contribute to a rigid and quiet ride. Additionally, both of these design elements also contribute to CX-5's reinforced structure, which works best to absorb impacts and not transfer that energy to its occupants. SKYACTIV-Body and SKYACTIV-Chassis incorporate a high amount of high-tensile steel (more than 60 percent), which saves weight and gives CX-5 more strength. CX-5 was also the first production vehicle to utilize 1,800MPa ultra-high tensile steel, which are utilized in the front and rear bumper beams, and results in parts that are 20 percent stronger and 10.6 pounds lighter than previous generation bumpers.

Mazda3, the first vehicle to receive SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, features SKYACTIV components with its engine and transmissions. Mazda3 was also named a "Top Safety Pick" for the 2012 model year.

Standard safety equipment on both the 2013 Mazda3 and the 2014 CX-5 includes six airbags (advanced dual front, front-seat mounted and full-length side-curtain), four wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) combined with a Traction Control System (TCS), a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a "crushable" brake and accelerator pedal assembly and collapsible steering column, side-impact door beams, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH). Available options include a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps.

Founded in 1959, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage that result from crashes on the nation's highways and roads. The Institute, along with affiliate the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), supports highway safety efforts and accident prevention through vehicle crash safety tests as well as consumer education, such as driver behavior and roadway designs. For more information, visit www.iihs.org.

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.

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

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations