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Mazda Introduces Troy Lee Edition B-Series Trucks

31 December 1998

Mazda Introduces Troy Lee Edition B-Series Trucks
             B3000 Raised Suspension 4x2 Takes on the Competition

    LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30 -- With Mazda's Troy Lee B-Series
concept truck a hit on the 1997-98 auto show circuit, Mazda North American
Operations (MNAO) has introduced three production versions with substance and
style:  the Troy Lee Edition B3000, B4000, and B2500.
    Featured at the LA Auto Show, the Mazda Troy Lee Edition B3000 Cab Plus 4
4x2 offers the "no-prisoners" look and ground clearance of four-wheel drive in
a 4x2.  Like a motocross motorcycle, it has the power to go anywhere and can
take a beating from the most rugged terrain.  With a raised suspension, front
and rear skid plates, fender flares, 16-inch wheels, and extra large tires,
the Troy Lee Edition B3000 crushes the competition.
    Only the Troy Lee Edition B3000 has four doors, torsion bar front
suspension, rear-wheel ABS, fog lights, anti-theft ignition and a bedliner.
Other exclusive features include the extreme style of Troy Lee Designs(R)
custom exterior graphic treatments, alloy wheels designed by Troy Lee and a
custom interior with an attitude.
    "It's the truck for the hard-core weekend warrior who loves extreme
sports, whether it's motocross, mountain biking, jet skiing or snowboarding,"
said Jack Stavana, MNAO's group manager, product marketing plans.  "The
B-Series' tough truck credentials make it the official truck of the motocross
adrenaline seeker.  Motocross riders demand that their trucks are as
dependable and rugged as their bikes, and the Troy Lee Edition B-Series truck
delivers."
    A 4x2 with the look of a 4x4 has a low cost of ownership.  It costs
several hundred dollars less to insure, has 10 percent better fuel economy and
is over 300 pounds lighter for better acceleration.  Additionally, the
3.0-liter V6 engine is a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capable of using either
regular unleaded gasoline or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).
    Troy Lee is a leading-edge graphic designer with a passion for extreme
sports.  His company, Troy Lee Designs(R) has created painted helmets, speed
equipment, and other apparel for extreme-sports enthusiasts for over 17 years.
His work is seen on more world-class motorsports and cycling competitors than
all other helmet painters combined.
    Mazda has become a force in motocross, with its sponsorship of the
AMA/Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals and Mazda/Chapparal Racing, featuring
superstar rider Jeremy McGrath.  Troy Lee Edition B-Series trucks help
punctuate the aggressive statement Mazda is making in motocross racing.
    All three Troy Lee Edition models are available in Black Clear Coat,
Amazon Green Metallic and Toreador Red Metallic.  Reflective body-side flame
graphics, "Dual Sport" tailgate logo and the Troy Lee Designs(R) signature
logo complete the exterior.
    Troy Lee Edition models feature gray two-tone seats with silver accent
piping and the Troy Lee "1950's pinstripe" monogrammed on the headrests, gray
two-tone door panels with a monogrammed Troy Lee Designs(R) signature logo and
carbon fiber-look trim on the instrument panel, door panels and center
console.
    The Troy Lee Edition of the top-of-the-line, 4.0-liter Mazda B4000 Cab
Plus 4 4x4 is for those enthusiasts who get the urge to leave the road for
rugged terrain or rocky backcountry in style.  This model receives leather
seats, four-wheel drive, front and rear skid plates, custom 16-inch wheels,
fog lights, and a trailer hitch with 5,600 lbs. of towing capacity
(A/T) -- more than the competition.
    Both the Troy Lee Edition B3000 Cab Plus 4 4x2 and B4000 Cab Plus 4 4x4
offer the convenience of an extended-cab with four doors -- extra room for two
more friends and extra doors for loading helmets and bike gear.  The Mazda
B-Series Cab Plus 4 offers spaciousness unrivaled by any import-brand compact
pickup and is the only import-brand pickup with four doors.
    Troy Lee Edition trucks have several unique advantages over the
competition," said Jim Felix, MNAO's truck product marketing manager.  "With
the B3000, only Mazda offers a 4-door, 4x2 raised suspension compact pickup.
And no other compact pickup has leather-trimmed upholstery, like the B4000."
    The Troy Lee Edition B4000 boasts other class-leading features, including
the only five-speed automatic transmission in the segment, and a pulse vacuum
hub-lock (PVH) front axle system.  PVH is an industry-leading technology that
provides true shift-on-the-fly capability at any legal speed and any
temperature, without noise and engagement delays.  Best of all, there is no
need to stop or back up to release the hubs.
    Customers looking for style and attitude at an exceptional value will
choose the Troy Lee Edition B2500 Regular Cab 4x2.  Besides offering the
exciting Troy Lee exterior graphic treatment and custom interior, the B2500
has standard air-conditioning, CD player, tachometer, custom 15-inch alloy
wheels, rear-wheel ABS, a bedliner, and mudguards.  Additionally, the B2500,
with a 2.5-liter engine and automatic transmission, qualifies as a Low
Emission Vehicle according to California Air Resource Board requirements.
    With production limited to around 4,000 units in its first year, the Troy
Lee Edition B-Series is an exclusive truck that is destined to become a
collector model.  Troy Lee Edition trucks should be appearing in Mazda
showrooms in mid-April, 1999.
    Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the research and
development, sales and marketing, and customer parts and service support of
Mazda vehicles in the United States.  Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO
has approximately 800 dealerships nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor
Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan.