22 November 2002: On the day it won the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003, the Japanese version of the Mazda 6 - the Atenza - was also awarded the 2003 RJC Car of the Year by the Automotive Researchers' & Journalists' Conference of Japan.

Pictured (above) with the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003, the Mazda 6, are Minister Seamus Brennan, TD; John Coffey, Chief Executive of Mazda; Brian Smith, Chief Executive Semperit Ireland and Tony Conlon, Chairman Irish Motoring Writers Association. Also pictured are models Glenda Gilson and Vivienne Connolly.

In Japan, the Atenza received 457 votes, followed by the Nissan March (Micra here) with 399 votes. The Honda Accord was third, with 261 votes. The RJC also named the Citroen C3 as Import Car of the Year, with runner-up Volkswagen Polo.

The RJC is composed of journalists, academics, and other individuals. It was formed in 1991, in part because its members felt the Japan Car of the Year selection, which began in 1980, was too influenced by pressure from advertisers.

The Mazda6 has been named runner-up in the European Car of the Year, and been named Car of the Year in New Zealand, Scotland, and the Czech Republic.