The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan (first three generations), a combination of "accelerate" and "excellent") is a compact car manufactured in Japan by Mazda. It was introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, replacing the Familia/323/Protegé in the C-segment. A performance-oriented version of the Mazda3 was marketed as the Mazdaspeed3 in North America, Axela in Japan, and the Mazda 3 MPS in Europe.