(Repeats, fixing typo in 3rd paragraph)
TOKYO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Japanese auto maker Mazda Motor Corp said on Wednesday it would announce an "important" personnel change at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT).
Mazda, one-third owned by Ford Motor Co , declined to say whether the change involved its president, Lewis Booth, but a spokesman said Booth would attend the news conference in Hiroshima, western Japan.
Booth, 54, joined Mazda in March last year as senior adviser and became president in June last year.
UBS Securities analyst Takaki Nakanishi said Booth had been expected to stay at the post for at least two years, and a change in president would be a surprise.
"If the change involved Booth, it would be negative news for the company because it would signal a loss in consistency in its corporate strategy," he said.
Booth has said he wants to nominate a Japanese executive to replace him when he leaves.
In May, Mazda announced a sweeping change to its senior management line-up, and another change so soon would likely be based on personal reasons, Nakanishi said.
Chief Financial Officer Gideon Wolthers took his post last December, replacing Robert Shanks.
In late morning trade, Mazda's shares were flat at 308 yen, in line with the broader market.