Mazda

Year of foundation 1920

Origins: From Cork Producers to Vehicle Manufacturers (1920-1945)
1920: The company was founded on January 30 in Hiroshima, Japan, under the name Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. The founder was Jujiro Matsuda. Initially, the company produced compressed cork, used for gaskets and insulation.

1927: The company changed its name to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. and focused on the production of machinery and tools.

1931: It was a pivotal year. Toyo Kogyo transitioned from machinery production to vehicle construction, launching its first product, the Mazda-Go. It was a three-wheeled three-wheeler, similar to a motorized rickshaw, which quickly became very popular in Japan thanks to its innovative design and its usefulness for transporting goods. The name "Mazda" appears for the first time, inspired by Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, intelligence, and harmony in Persian culture, as well as recalling the founder's surname, Matsuda.

Post-war revival and entry into the automotive world (1945-1960)
1945: The city of Hiroshima is devastated by the atomic bombing of August 6th. The Toyo Kogyo factories, although damaged, are protected by a mountain and are not completely destroyed. This allows the company to quickly resume production and contribute to the city's reconstruction, providing transportation vehicles and assisting the authorities. This event consolidates the spirit of resilience and tenacity that will become an integral part of the brand's identity.

1950s: The company continues to produce three-wheeled commercial vehicles, but begins to look towards the passenger car market.

The Rotary Engine Era and Global Expansion (1960–1990)
1960: Mazda launches its first true automobile, the Mazda R360 Coupe. It is a small two-door coupé, designed as a "kei car" (lightweight car) for the Japanese market. Its success marks the beginning of mass production of passenger cars.

1961: The first version of the famous "B-Series" pickup truck is introduced, destined to become a long-lasting and successful model worldwide.

1967: Mazda takes a bold and revolutionary step: it introduces the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S, its first sports car equipped with a twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine. This technology, which Mazda had tirelessly developed, sets it apart from all other manufacturers and becomes its trademark for decades to come.

1970s: Mazda enters international markets, particularly in North America. The RX-2, RX-3, and RX-4, all equipped with rotary engines, gain popularity among sports car enthusiasts.

1978: The first-generation Mazda RX-7 is introduced. With its futuristic design and rotary engine, it becomes an icon and one of the most recognizable sports cars in the world.

1979: Mazda and Ford Motor Company enter into a partnership that will lead to numerous collaborations and technology sharing for many years.

1984: The company officially changes its name to Mazda Motor Corporation.

1989: At the Chicago Auto Show, Mazda unveils the Mazda MX-5 Miata. This lightweight, compact, and affordable roadster is an instant success. It revives the concept of the "two-seater sports car" and becomes the best-selling roadster in history.

Innovation, Design, and Racing Success (1990-2000)
1991: Mazda achieves a historic and unprecedented victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its Mazda 787B. It is the first and only rotary-engined car to win the legendary endurance race. This success demonstrates the reliability and power of Mazda's Wankel engine under extreme conditions.

1992: The collaboration with Ford intensifies, leading to the production of models with shared platforms, such as the Ford Probe (based on the Mazda MX-6).

1990s: Mazda revamps its logo to reflect a more modern and sophisticated image. New iconic models are launched, such as the latest-generation RX-7 (FD) and the Xedos 9, featuring a Miller cycle engine.

The break with Ford and the "Skyactiv" philosophy (2000-2010)
2002: The Mazda6 is introduced, the first of a new generation car that focuses on a sportier and more dynamic design.

2003: The Mazda RX-8 replaces the RX-7. Despite being powered by a Renesis rotary engine, it offers greater practicality with its counter-opening "freestyle" doors.

2008-2010: Following the global financial crisis, Ford drastically reduces its stake in Mazda, eventually selling it almost entirely. This pushes Mazda to regain control of its own destiny, focusing on internal innovation. The "Skyactiv" philosophy is born: a holistic approach to engineering that aims to optimize the efficiency and performance of the engine, chassis, and transmission, without sacrificing driving pleasure.