About the Mazda brand
Japan founded in 1920 Model range
General Information
Mazda (Mazda Motor Corporation) is a Japanese manufacturer of trucks, buses, minibuses, and passenger cars. The company is part of the Sumitomo financial and industrial group. Its headquarters are located in Hiroshima.Corporate History
The company was founded in 1920 as a cork processing enterprise. In 1927, it was renamed Toyo Kogyo Co Ltd. In 1931, production of three-wheeled vehicles began. The first products were three-wheeled cargo motor scooters, which were in high demand: 200,000 units were produced over 25 years. A significant portion of these vehicles were supplied to the Japanese army. The company's factories survived even the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. After the war, the company switched to producing trucks. The first passenger cars appeared only in 1960 — the R360 Coupe, a two-door passenger car. It was simple but inexpensive and convenient.
In 1962, the Mazda Carol 600 was introduced — the first four-door passenger car. In 1964, the first generation of the Mazda Familia (800/1000) was released, and in the same year, passenger cars began to be exported to the USA. In 1965, the Mazda Proceed pickup (B-series 1500) appeared.
1967 marked the start of full-scale exports to Europe — the Mazda Cosmo Sports (110 S) was introduced, the first Mazda model with a Wankel rotary engine. At the same time, a technical cooperation agreement was reached with Kia Motors Corp. In 1968, the Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe (R100) debuted. In 1971, the Mazda Savanna (RX-3) was introduced, and in 1972, the Mazda Luce (RX-4). In that same year, the total number of vehicles produced reached 5 million units.
In 1977, the Mazda Familia (Original GLC/323) and Mazda Capella (626) were released. In 1979, Mazda and Ford Motor Company formed an alliance: Ford Motor acquired 25% of Mazda's shares. In 1980, the Mazda Familia (GLC/323) was named Japanese Car of the Year 1980-81.
By 1981, most of the company's cars were equipped with Wankel engines. Success in the American market led to the opening of Mazda North America, Inc. The product range also expanded: sports models and upper-middle-class cars appeared. An example of achievements was the Mazda RX-7 with an original body design that combined increased rigidity with reduced weight.
In 1981, the Mazda Cosmo/Luce (929) was introduced. In 1982, the Mazda Capella 4 WD was released, and this model became Japanese Car of the Year 1982-83. In 1983, the Mazda Capella was named Import Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine (USA). At the same time, Mazda acquired 8% of Kia Motors' shares.
In 1984, the company was renamed Mazda Motor Corporation. In 1985, the new Mazda Luce (929) was introduced in Japan. By 1987, the number of cars produced in Japan reached 20 million. The company began production at the new American plant "Mazda Motor Manufacturing" in Michigan. In the same year, the Ford Festiva (Mazda 121), manufactured by Mazda, was introduced.
In 1990, the Eunos Cosmo, equipped with a car navigation system, and the Autozam Revue (121) appeared in Japan. In 1992, the new Mazda 626 was named Car of the Year. In 2000, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with a completely new body design entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most popular sports roadster. At the same time, the new SUV Mazda Tribute was released, and the RX-Evolve concept, the predecessor of the RX-8 model, was shown at the Detroit Auto Show.
In 2001, the new Atenza and a preliminary version of the RX-8 with the Renesis rotary engine were demonstrated at the Tokyo Auto Show. The Roadster received the main prize of the Auto Color Award 2001. Many Mazda models that year received "sporty" modifications. In 2002, the company opened its own nursery and released a new modification of the MPV model — Sports F, developed by women.
Today, Mazda produces a wide range of cars — from subcompacts to luxury sedans, actively developing the direction of SUVs and high-capacity vehicles. In the line of sports models, the RX-7 was replaced by the RX-8.
In matters of development strategy and sales, the company closely cooperates with Ford. Mazda assembly plants in 21 countries allow exporting cars to 120 countries worldwide.