Mazda comes on strong with two finalists for AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year

- Mazda3 and Mazda6 both selected as finalists for overall Car of the Year award -

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the finalists for the 2014 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) award today, and Mazda has taken two out of three spots with the all-new Mazda3 and Mazda6. At the qualifying TestFest event in October, three Mazda vehicles were entered in three separate categories and all were chosen as category winners, making them eligible for the overall CCOTY award.

Mazda Canada's perennially best-selling model, the compact Mazda3, dominated the Best New Small Car (under $21,000) category and was chosen as a finalist alongside the mid-size Mazda6, winner of the Best New Family Car (over $30,000). Votes were cast by a group of more than 80 voting AJAC journalists from across Canada, with Mazda3 and Mazda6 taking two of the top three overall scores in a field of thirty-nine entries, the other being the Mazda3 Sport. The Mazda3 was also the only vehicle to earn an overall score of more than 700, taking top marks in its category for Styling/Appearance, Quality, and Subjective Value. The Mazda6 also scored high marks for the same critical components including Quality and Subjective Value.

"AJAC's comprehensive evaluation process ensures that only the very best new vehicles can make it to the final three," said Kory Koreeda, President, Mazda Canada. "We are extremely proud to have the Mazda3 and Mazda6 on this list."

The Mazda3 and Mazda6 now face only the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray as the remaining finalist to win the coveted title of 2014 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year, which will be announced on February 13, 2014 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

About Mazda Canada Inc.
Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 162 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca

SOURCE: Mazda Canada Inc.

Sandra Lemaitre, National Manager, Public Relations
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