100th Anniversary

FROM CORK SUBSTITUTES TO MECHANICS

Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. is founded on 30 January 1920 in Hiroshima, specialising in cork substitutes. As natural cork begins to flood the market, Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. Ltd, led by President Jujiro Matsuda, shifts the production to mechanics.

THE FIRST VEHICLE AND A BIG NAME

The name first appears in 1931 under the name Mazda-Go - a motorised three-wheel truck. The name originates from Ahura Mazda, the god of light, wisdom, intelligence and harmony. The name also derives from the company's founder, Matsuda, which is pronounced Mazda in Japanese.

Mazda’s very first passenger car

In 1960, a small 4-seater micro car rolled out of the state-of-the-art factory with innovative computer-aided production management. Mazda’s very first passenger car was soon known as "Mazda’s Coupe" thanks to its smart style. Loaded with the cutting-edge technology at that time, including luxury 4-cycle engine and extensive use of light alloy to reduce body weight, the Mazda R360 Coupe came with an amazing price tag of just 300,000 yen. From three wheels to four wheels, moving away from trucks to passenger vehicles, the R360 Coupe is the symbol of Mazda’s early development as a car company.

BRAVELY PAVING THE WAY: THE ROTARY ENGINE

Mazda acquires a licence in 1961 for the further development and production of the "Wankel" engine. As early as 1963, Mazda, exhibits the world's first rotary engine at the Tokyo Motor Show.

MAZDA FOR THE FAMILY

As Mazda’s first family car, Familia's beautiful flat deck body style commanded strong public attention. The aluminum alloy air cooled 4-cylinder engine was soon called the "white engine" from its bright casting surface color. As a small passenger vehicle with a perfect balance of performance, ride comfort, style and economicality, the Familia soon earned rave reviews. By 1965, monthly average of 3,000 units were sold, and the Familia’s market share reached over 30%.

SPORTS DESIGN GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL

On May 30 1967, the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S makes history as the world's first production car with a two-rotor rotary engine. It is the prelude to a unique success story, and led to almost two million Mazdas with rotary engines being sold.

THE WORLD'S BEST-SELLING SPORTS CAR WITH ROTARY ENGINE

In November 1978 a Mazda RX-7 rolls off the production line as the one-millionth rotary-engine Mazda. Career highlights of the RX-7 also include eight consecutive American IMSA Championships and winning the 24-hour Spa-Francorchamps. On the road, Mazda RX-7 is considered the ultimate rotary-engine sports car.

TOYO KOGYO BECOMES MAZDA

In 1984, Toyo Kogyo is finally renamed as Mazda Motor Corporation. The basic form of today's logo is introduced in 1991 and is updated and further developed over time. The Mazda "M" stretches its wings out more than ever for its glide into the future.

THE WORLD'S BEST SELLING ROADSTER

1989 Chicago Motor Show saw the birth of the Mazda MX-5. A classic roadster with front-engine and rear-wheel drive, it consequently appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time. In 2016, more than one million MX-5s have been produced and sold.

VICTORY AT THE 24-HOUR LE MANS

In 1991, Mazda secures the most important record in the history of motorsport at the world's top endurance race for sports cars and wins first place at the 24-hour Le Mans. Mazda becomes the first Japanese manufacturer to triumph in the race, with the 787B sports car and it's 608Nm rotary engine.

ZOOM-ZOOM BECOMES THE MAZDA SLOGAN AND LAUNCH OF A NEW GENERATION

In 2002, Zoom-Zoom becomes the global Mazda brand slogan and the symbol of a new era. This coincides with the launch of a new generation of models including Mazda6, Mazda3, Mazda2, Mazda MX-5 and Mazda RX-8.

THE EVOLUTION OF ROTARY

With its futuristic profile and freestyle doors, Mazda RX-8 caused a stir when it was launched in 2003. Lauded for its exhilarating performance, Mazda RX-8 represented the final generation of Mazda rotary engines.

SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS

SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS is Mazda’s latest technological breakthrough from its unending pursuit of “Jinba Ittai” driving. The latest technology to join the SKYACTIV family of technologies provides integrated control of Individual components such as the engine, transmission, body and chassis to achieve total optimization of vehicle’s driving performance. With SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS, the new-generation vehicle dynamics control technology, Mazda has moved on to a new stage of evolving “Jinba Ittai” driving that lies at the heart of the Mazda brand value.

KODO DESIGN IN THE NEW MAZDA CX-5

In 2012, the Mazda CX-5 becomes the first production model in the new Mazda design language "Kodo: Soul of Motion". Kodo Design captures the instant energy becomes motion. It's a fusion of functionality and beauty. The sleek and aerodynamic lines of every Mazda is enhanced by this visionary design philosophy.

THE 7TH GENERATION AND A NEW ERA BEGINS

In 2019, a new generation of design and technology was revealed. The All-New Mazda3 was destined to promise and deliver value like never before, a demanding challenge for all those who were involved with the development of the new model.

All-New CX-30 - Perfect For The City

2020 marks the launch of the All-New Mazda CX-30 - the first of Mazda's 7th generation of SUVs and a testament to Mazda's pioneering spirit, signalling the beginning of the next century of exceptional motoring.