MAZDA TO DONATE MORE THAN $2.75 MILLION TO CHARITY FOLLOWING #MAZDADRIVE4GOOD EVENT

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that it is donating $2,751,700 to select charities as a result of its Mazda Drive for Good event.  In addition to the monetary donation, Mazda employees and dealers across the nation also will donate a total of 56,435 charitable service hours in 2014 through various local charitable service opportunities.

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"Giving back to our communities is a part of who we are," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "At the time of the year when these amazing charities most needed help, Drive for Good gave us a way to help.  And because real charity is more than just giving money, Drive for Good also allowed every Mazda associate to donate their time to help too."

Mazda's Drive for Good event ran from November 25, 2013 through January 2, 2014.  For every new Mazda vehicle purchased during this time period, Mazda donated $100 to one of four national, or 32 local, charities, with the choice of the charity being left up to the customer.  Customers who bought a vehicle during the program period still have until January 31, 2014 to make their donation decision. In addition to the monetary donation, Mazda also donated an hour of charitable service for every test drive of a new Mazda vehicle taken during the Mazda Drive for Good event.

Nationally, Mazda worked with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and Mazda Foundation.  Additionally, Mazda offered a local charity option to its customers by partnering with an additional 32 charities based on dealer input in the local markets.

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.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations