Mazda Receives Multiple 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards From Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today was the recipient of two Total Cost of Ownership Awards as presented by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.  The 2012 MX-5 Miata was selected in the Sports Car category and the 2012 Mazda5 was selected in the Minivan category for the inaugural awards honoring current model-year vehicles.  Both were calculated to have the lowest average costs in the initial five-year ownership period.

"Mazda is honored to receive these distinctions from Kelley Blue Book, and it means even more to be the first vehicles chosen in the awards' inaugural year," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO.  "Mazda and performance go hand-in-hand, but to maintain such a high level of vehicle agility and stability requires an even higher level of reliability.  As these Total Cost of Ownership Awards prove, Mazda achieves that quality quotient that keeps cars on the road and money in customers' pockets."

The 2012 MX-5 Miata is the world's best-selling two-seat roadster with more than 900,000 produced.  Available in four trims, the MX-5 is a lightweight, low-slung rear-wheel-drive sports car with the poise to tackle the everyday requirements of a daily driver and the prowess to command the s-curves and straight-aways of any race track in America.  All MX-5s are equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an output of 167 horsepower (158 horsepower for automatic transmission-equipped models) and 140 lb-ft of torque. The roadster starts at $23,470[1] MSRP with a soft top and at $27,540 when outfitted with the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT).

The second-generation Mazda5 is all new for 2012 and offers the adaptable storage-and-seat configuration of a traditional minivan but without the one-size-fits-bulk dimensions.  The first production vehicle to feature the sweeping Nagare design language, the Mazda5 boasts a 2.5-liter engine with more horsepower (157 horsepower) and torque (163 lb-ft) than the previous generation.  Available with the standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed Sport automatic transmission, the 2012 Mazda5 starts at $19,625.

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website, www.kbb.com.  Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs, which plays the largest role in Total Cost of Ownership, followed by the cost of fuel and is calculated using a sophisticated valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers.  For more information on the Total Cost of Ownership Awards and Kelley Blue Book, visit www.kbb.com.

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, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

For more information on Mazda vehicles, visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.  Product B-roll may be ordered online by visiting The News Market at www.thenewsmarket.com/mazda. 

[1] Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRP does not include $795 destination charge (Alaska $840), title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations