Mazda MX-5 breaks world record

The Mazda MX-5 has sealed its place in the Guinness Book of World Records, it has been revealed by the Japanese carmaker.

On September 18th, 459 officially-recognised vehicles formed the longest continuous MX-5 parade ever on the grounds of the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage site in Essen, far outdoing the former world record set in New Zealand, when 249 vehicles took part.

Jeff Guyton, the president and chief executive officer of Mazda Motor Europe, said that the excitement leading up to the event was very much palpable.

He continued: "Over 600 MX-5 owners applied to take part; so many that we didn't have room for them all because of technical reasons. The event, the parade, the many visitors - Mazda MX-5 showed today why it's still the world's best-selling roadster."

The last seats in the MX-5 world record parade were also auctioned on eBay for SOS Children's Villages, raising around £3,400.

Last week, Mazda announced that it would be holding the global unveiling of its all-new Mazda BT-50 compact pickup truck at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show.