An updated version of the Mazda2 city car with refreshed trim and all-new colours will arrive in Australian showrooms this month.

Since its most recent facelift in early 2010, the Mazda2 has consolidated its position as one of Australia's most popular small cars with a 10.9 per cent sales increase over the previous year.

Over 48,000 Mazda2s have now been sold in Australia since its launch in 2007 and these latest refinements will help keep it looking fresh and at the forefront of new car buyer's minds.

While the Mazda2 range retains all of the components that made it the 2008 World Car of the Year, all models benefit from subtle upgrades.

The Mazda2 Neo features a new 15 inch steel wheel design and body coloured door handles on the outside and new seat trim and piano black highlights on the inside.

The Mazda2 Maxx also receives new seat trim and piano black highlights on the inside while two new colours are available on both Neo and Maxx: Aquatic Blue and Burgundy Red.

Upgrades to the range-topping Mazda2 Genki are set to follow mid-year with a host of new equipment additions. More information on this particular model will be released closer to its launch.

With the huge success of the Mazda2 in Thailand and other neighbouring markets, production of Australian-bound Mazda2s has returned to Hiroshima to enable increased production in Thailand for the South East Asian region.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, said "With the increasing demand for Mazda2, securing supply was extremely important. Now that production of Australian-bound Mazda2s has moved back to Hiroshima we can be sure of fulfilling customer demand and maintaining momentum in the light car segment."

The spirited yet economical Mazda2 range continues to be powered by a 76kW 1.5 litre petrol engine and is available with both manual or automatic transmissions. Fuel efficiency remains impressive with the manual transmission achieving 6.4 litres per 100km.

For more information contact:

Steve Maciver
Public Relations Manager
(03) 8540 1961
0437 125 589
smaciver@mazda.com.au