Let's bring in the head of Mazda's North American business, Tom Donnelly, [music] with our very own Phil Leone. Phil, >> thank you, Kelly. Tom, good to be here with you.And we'll talk about the new CX-5, which is in the background here. Part of a lot of your success here in the US, but I want to start first off with your view about the state of the US consumer right now and what your dealers are hearing about people when they're coming in to look for buying a new vehicle. >> Sure.Now, first of all, happy to ...

Core Viewpoint - Mazda Motor Corporation experienced a rebound in global vehicle production in December 2025, with a 9.4% increase compared to the previous month, indicating a recovery from earlier declines in production and sales [1][2][4]. Production Summary - Global vehicle production reached 99,018 units in December 2025, up from 95,232 units in November, marking a recovery from a 5.2% year-on-year decline [1]. - Domestic production in Japan increased by 6% to 66,024 units, with notable increases in specific models: CX-30 production surged by 69% to 8,961 units, Mazda 3 production rose by 25% to 11,207 units, and CX-5 volumes increased by 6% to 26,546 units [1]. - Overseas vehicle production rose over 17% to 32,994 units in December, recovering from a 9.4% decline in November [2]. Export and Sales Summary - Exports from Japan fell by 4% year-on-year to 57,223 units in December, with a significant drop in shipments to North America by 18% to 22,591 units, while exports to Europe surged by 38% to 19,047 units [3]. - In 2025, Mazda's total global production was 1,156,707 vehicles, a decrease of 3.7% from 1,201,049 units in 2024, with domestic output declining by 4.4% and overseas production falling by 2.6% [3]. - Global sales decreased by 1.7% to 1,256,215 units in the previous year, with a 5.3% increase in Japan but a 2.5% decline in overseas sales [4].

Production Overview - Mazda Motor Corporation reported a 5.2% decline in global vehicle production to 95,232 units in November 2025, down from 100,478 units a year earlier [1] - Production in Japan fell by 2.3% to 58,088 units, with CX-5 output decreasing by 1.6% to 22,463 units, while CX-30 production increased by 37% to 10,341 units and Mazda 3 volumes rose by almost 11% to 12,222 units [1] Export and Overseas Production - Exports from Japan increased by 7.3% to 55,474 units, with shipments to North America rising by almost 15% to 23,053 units and exports to Europe rising by 25% to 12,162 units [2] - Overseas vehicle production declined by 9.4% to 37,144 units in November, primarily due to a 46% drop in CX-30 output to 7,008 units and a 40% decrease in Mazda 2 output to 6,416 units, while CX-50 production fell by nearly 13% to 8,529 units [2] Year-to-Date Performance - In the first eleven months of 2025, Mazda produced 1,057,689 vehicles globally, down by 4.8% compared to 1,110,536 units in the same period of 2024 [3] - Domestic output declined by almost 5.3% to 650,666 units, while overseas production fell by 3.9% to 407,023 units [3] - Global sales fell by 1.4% to 1,148,950 units in the January-November period, with sales in Japan rising by 5.7% to 138,751 units, while overseas sales fell by 2.3% to 1,010,199 units [3] - US sales were 1.7% lower at 377,733 units, while in Europe sales fell by 10% to 143,896 units, China saw a decline of 12% to 64,899 units, and other markets experienced a 2% increase to 423,671 units [3]

Core Insights - Mercury Insurance has released its annual list of the most affordable sedans and subcompact crossovers to insure, aimed at helping budget-conscious consumers maximize insurance savings [1][2][3] Vehicle Affordability - The list includes vehicles from various manufacturers, highlighting a diverse range from entry-level premium cars like the Acura Integra to more affordable options such as the Nissan Kicks and Kia K4 [3] - The top 10 vehicles listed for affordability in insurance include: Volkswagen Golf R, Acura Integra, Mazda 3, Kia K4, Nissan Versa, Volvo S90, Hyundai Venue, MINI Cooper, Kia K5, and Nissan Kicks [6] Insurance Cost Factors - Factors influencing insurance costs include claims on similar vehicles, repair costs, and vehicle safety records, which were analyzed by Mercury's research and development team [2][3] Company Background - Mercury Insurance has been providing insurance services since 1962, focusing on personal auto, homeowners, renters, and commercial insurance across multiple states [4][5] - The company has over 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents, earning an "A" rating from A.M. Best and recognition as a top auto insurance company by Forbes and Insure.com [5]