---

Dear Mr Dickinson

Our Press & PR Manager, Graeme Fudge, has passed a copy of your e-mail
to me regarding our forthcoming Mazda RX-8 model and the information
you have
read on the two Mazda RX-8 community web sites.

It may be of assistance to you if I give you a brief history of RX-8
launch so far from our position, rather than being reliant on the
information contained on the above websites, which are based on individuals
opinions rather than factual information from Mazda, and therefore some
of the information on these websites is not always correct. I would
however mention at this stage that we are in the process of writing to the
originators of the www.rx8forum.com website in order that a formal
statement from Mazda Motors UK Limited can be posted on this site.

The first production of the Mazda RX-8 ("Job Number One") was achieved
in March 2003, but these vehicles were built for the Japanese market
where vehicle and engine specification, and in particular emissions
legislation, is significantly different to Europe. It was always planned
that the production launch for Mazda RX-8 was to be in three phases,
first Japan, then North America and then, once initial allocations were
completed for these two markets, the third phase of launch was scheduled
for Europe.

When we initially launched the pre-order programme at the end of
February in the UK, the initial indication we were given from Mazda
Headquarters in Japan was that European "Job One" would take place around the
end of April. On this basis, giving enough time to build up a bank of
stock and ship the cars from Japan, our expectation was that the UK
launch would take place in late July.

However, two issues have delayed this. Firstly, engineering issues to
ensure that the rotary engine was fully compliant with Euro 4 level of
emissions (currently the most rigorous in the world) meant that the
engineers in Japan wanted more time for engine testing. This slowed down
the ramp up of rotary engine build. I can confirm that the Mazda RX-8
will meet Euro 4 emissions ahead of this becoming a European
legislative requirement. Secondly, and this is the key issue, unfortunately, we
are victims of our own success. It was anticipated that the
advertising pre-launch in Japan would generate around 1,000 customer orders. In
fact it has generated over 5,000 and in order to protect this supply
and not to build up unrealistic expectations in other markets around the
world it was decided to delay the first production of European vehicles
by around two and a half months. Perhaps if we had known this at the
time we would not have launched our own pre-order facility as earl!
y as we did.

We now expect the first shipments of new Mazda RX-8s to leave Japan for
the UK on around 20 August 2003. This information was only finally
confirmed in the last two weeks and hence we took the decision to write to
all pre-order customers to advise them that realistic deliveries will
commence late October 2003. I realise that this will be of little
comfort to customers like yourself who are keen to get their hands on the
Mazda RX-8, but I wanted you to have the full picture. I can only
apologise for this delay and the frustration it is undoubtedly causing.
Orders will still be fulfilled in the sequence in which they were received
by Mazda Motors UK Limited and owners who have pre-ordered vehicles will
be advised of delivery dates during August 2003. Our Mazda dealer
network will be receiving demonstrator vehicles prior to customers
receiving their vehicles and therefore there will be the opportunity for
customers to test drive the Mazda RX-8 before taking delivery of their!
own vehicles.

With regard to the change in engine power output from that originally
anticipated, the reason for this is that as it was critical for the
Mazda RX-8 to achieve the Euro stage 4 emissions the decision was made to
slightly lower the power output to 231ps @ 8,200 rpm. However this
power output is still an outstanding proposition and provides a truly
thrilling drive, particularly as the torque figure has actually increased to
211 Nm @ 5,500rpm from the original estimations.

Just to let you know that as a result of the delay, Mazda UK has taken
the decision that none of its staff will be able to have a Mazda RX-8
company car this year, not even our Managing Director. We are keeping
all of our allocation for customers. Again, I imagine this is of little
comfort, but I wanted you to understand that we are equally frustrated
by the delay. We are desperate to get this car launched because we
know how fantastic it will be when it arrives.

The pre-order customers who have been able to view the only Mazda RX-8
vehicle we have in the country at this time, have, without exception,
been ecstatic about the vehicle. These customers have stated that this
viewing has reconfirmed that they have made the correct decision in
choosing the Mazda RX-8 and virtually every customer has kept their
pre-order to ensure that they are one of the first owners of this exciting
new model.

I trust that the above information has helped to explain the supply
situation for you and I thank you for taking the time to write regarding
these issues.

Yours sincerely

Chris Twine
Customer Assistance Manager
Mazda Motors UK Limited

---

---

It was anticipated that the advertising pre-launch in Japan would generate around 1,000 customer orders. In fact it has generated over 5,000

---

---

realistic deliveries will commence late October 2003.

---

---

the torque figure has actually increased to 211 Nm @ 5,500rpm from the original estimations.

---

---

I will stick this out till i get my car in whatever year it may end up as i cant find anything to compete for the price. I however doubt i will ever buy a mazda again after this.

---