BRITAIN'S importer of Mazda cars has denied that its long-standing links with the Japanese manufacturer are about to be severed. Press reports speculating that British market distribution rights will soon be withdrawn from Mazda Cars UK Ltd were incorrect, managing director Tim Tozer insisted at the Geneva Motor Show.

'It is true that changes lie ahead but the headlines about us losing distribution rights are just not true,' he said. 'The situation is that nothing has yet been determined - all the options are still on the table.' As Ford-owned Mazda Motor Corporation was unveiling a new sport tourer hybrid concept and presenting its production-ready RX-8 sports coupe car for the first time in Europe, Tozer said: 'Dealings between Mazda and the MCL Group have been going on for almost 30 years.

'We know Mazda very well and understand the brand. Our relationship is strong enough to evolve. Mazda has lost its way in the last two years, but it is now getting stronger. New models are giving a much clearer view of just what the brand can be and we are confident about what we can do for it.'

After achieving a market share of 1.3 % with more than 32,300 registrations in 1997, Mazda UK sales slumped to 20,000 units last year.