Mazda Motor Corporation (マツダ株式会社 Matsuda Kabushiki-gaisha?), commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.[4]
In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly 1 million) were produced in the company’s Japanese plants, with the remainder coming from a variety of other plants worldwide.[5] In 2015, Mazda was the fifteenth biggest automaker by production worldwide.
Mazda’s website states its name derived from the Zoroastrian name of God in the Avestan language (Modern Persian: اهورا مزدا-Sanskrit: असुर मेधा [Asura-Medhā]). Ahura Mazda is the name of God in Zoroastrian. The company states:
The name was also associated with Ahura Mazda (God of Light), with the hope that it would brighten the image of these compact vehicles.
Their website further notes that the name also derives from similarity to the name of the company’s founder, Jujiro Matsuda.
History
Mazda began as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd, founded in Hiroshima, Japan, 30 January 1920. Toyo Cork Kogyo renamed itself to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1927. In the late 1920s the company had to be saved from bankruptcy by Hiroshima Saving Bank and other business leaders in Hiroshima.
In 1931 Toyo Kogyo moved from manufacturing machine tools to vehicles with the introduction of the Mazda-Goautorickshaw. Toyo Kogyo produced weapons for the Japanese military throughout the Second World War, most notably the series 30 through 35 Type 99 rifle. The company formally adopted the Mazda name in 1984, though every automobile sold from the beginning bore that name. The Mazda R360 was introduced in 1960, followed by the Mazda Carol in 1962.
Beginning in the 1960s, Mazda was inspired by the NSU Ro 80, and decided to put a major engineering effort into development of the Wankel rotary engine as a way of differentiating itself from other Japanese auto companies. The company formed a business relationship with German company NSU, and began with the limited-production Cosmo Sport of 1967 and continuing to the present day with the Pro Mazda Championship, Mazda has become the sole manufacturer of Wankel-type engines for the automotive market mainly by way of attrition (NSU and Citroën both gave up on the design during the 1970s, and prototype Corvette efforts by General Motors never made it to production.)
This effort to bring attention to itself apparently helped, as Mazda rapidly began to export its vehicles. Both piston-powered and rotary-powered models made their way around the world. The rotary models quickly became popular for their combination of good power and light weight when compared to piston-engined competitors that required heavier V6 or V8 engines to produce the same power. The R100 and the RX series (RX-2, RX-3, and RX-4) led the company’s export efforts.
During 1968, Mazda started formal operations in Canada (MazdaCanada) although Mazdas were seen in Canada as early as 1959. In 1970, Mazda formally entered the American market (Mazda North American Operations) and was very successful there, going so far as to create the Mazda Rotary Pickup (based on the conventional piston-powered B-Series model) solely for North American buyers. To this day, Mazda remains the only automaker to have produced a Wankel-powered pickup truck. Additionally, it is also the only marque to have ever offered a rotary-powered bus (the Mazda Parkway, offered only in Japan) or station wagon (within the RX-3 and RX-4 lines for certain markets). After nine years of development, Mazda finally launched its new model in the U.S. in 1970.[9]
Mazda’s rotary success continued until the onset of the 1973 oil crisis. As American buyers (as well as those in other nations) quickly turned to vehicles with better fuel efficiency, the relatively thirsty rotary-powered models began to fall out of favor. Combined with being the least-efficient automaker in Japan (in terms of productivity), inability to adjust to excess inventory and over-reliance on the U.S. market, the company suffered a huge loss in 1975.[10] An already heavily indebted Toyo Kogyo was on the verge of bankruptcy and was only saved through the intervention of Sumitomo keiretsu group, namely Sumitomo Bank, and the companies subcontractors and distributors.[11][12] Fortunately, the company had not totally turned its back on piston engines, as it continued to produce a variety of four-cylinder models throughout the 1970s. The smaller Familia line in particular became very important to Mazda’s worldwide sales after 1973, as did the somewhat larger Capella series.
Mazda refocused its efforts and made the rotary engine a choice for the sporting motorist rather than a mainstream powerplant. Starting with the lightweight RX-7 in 1978 and continuing with the modern RX-8, Mazda has continued its dedication to this unique powerplant. This switch in focus also resulted in the development of another lightweight sports car, the piston-powered Mazda Roadster (perhaps better known by its worldwide names as the MX-5 or Miata), inspired by the concept ‘jinba ittai‘. Introduced in 1989 to worldwide acclaim, the Roadster has been widely credited with reviving the concept of the small sports car after its decline in the late 1970s.
Partnership with Ford Motor Company
From 1974 to 2015, Mazda had a partnership with the Ford Motor Company, which acquired a 7% stake in 1979, and by 1996 owned 33.3% of Mazda. Under the administration of Alan Mulally, Ford gradually divested its stake in Mazda from 2008 to 2015, with Ford currently holding 2.1% of Mazda stock in 2014[13] and severing most production as well as development ties.
This partnership with Ford Motor Company began due to Mazda’s financial difficulties during the 1960s. Starting in 1979 with a 7-percent financial stake, Ford expanded an existing partnership with Mazda resulting in various joint projects. The cooperation had begun in 1971 when the Mazda B-Series spawned a Ford Courier variant for North America, a version which was later offered in other markets as well. Mazda’s Bongo and Titan cab-over trucks were sold with Ford badging in mainly Asia and the Pacific region beginning in 1976.[14] These included large and small efforts in all areas of the automotive landscape — most notably in the realm of pickup trucks and smaller cars. Mazda began supplying manual transaxles to Ford in the spring of 1980.[14] Mazda’s Familia platform was used for Ford models like the Laser and Escort beginning in 1980, while the Capella architecture found its way into Ford’s Telstar sedan and Probe sports models. During the 1980s, Ford gained another 20-percent financial stake, and in 2002 Ford gained an extra 5-percent financial stake. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific markets, Ford-badged Mazda products replaced much of their own lineup. The Ford Festiva, Laser, and Telstar were also sold in Japan alongside their Mazda-badged brethren.
The Probe was built in a new Mazda company plant in Flat Rock, Michigan along with the mainstream 626 sedan (the North American version of the Capella) and a companion Mazda MX-6 sports coupe. Ford also lent Mazda some of its capacity when needed: the Mazda 121 sold in Europe and South Africa was, for a time, a variant of the Ford Fiesta built in plants in Europe and South Africa. Mazda also made an effort in the past to sell some of Ford’s cars in Japan, mainly through its Autorama dealer group.
Mazda also helped Ford develop the 1991 Explorer, which Mazda sold as the 2-door only Mazda Navajo from 1991 through 1994. Ironically, Mazda’s version was unsuccessful, while the Ford (available from the start as a 4-door or 2-door model) instantly became the best selling sport-utility vehicle in the United States and kept that title for over a decade. Mazda has used Ford’s Ranger pickup as the basis for its North American–market B-Series trucks, starting in 1994 and continuing through 2010, when Mazda discontinued importing its B-Series trucks to North America, due to costs associated with the chicken tax.
Following its long-held fascination with alternative engine technology, Mazda introduced the first Miller cycle engine for automotive use in the Millenia luxury sedan of 1995. Though the Millenia (and its Miller-type V6 engine) were discontinued in 2002, the company has recently introduced a much smaller Miller-cycle four-cylinder engine for use in its Demio starting in 2008. As with its leadership in Wankel technology, Mazda remains (so far) the only automaker to have used a Miller-cycle engine in the automotive realm.
Further financial difficulties at Mazda during the 1990s (partly caused by losses related to the 1997 Asian financial crisis) caused Ford to increase its stake to a 33.4-percent controlling interest in May 1996. In June 1996, Henry Wallace was appointed President, and he set about restructuring Mazda and setting it on a new strategic direction. He laid out a new direction for the brand including the design of the present Mazda marque; he laid out a new product plan to achieve synergies with Ford, and he launched Mazda’s digital innovation program to speed up the development of new products. At the same time, he started taking control of overseas distributors, rationalized dealerships and manufacturing facilities, and driving much needed efficiencies and cost reductions in Mazda’s operations. Much of his early work put Mazda back into profitability and laid the foundations for future success. Wallace was succeeded by James Miller in November 1997, followed in December 1999 by Ford executive Mark Fields, who has been credited with expanding Mazda’s new product lineup and leading the turnaround during the early 2000s. Ford’s increased influence during the 1990s allowed Mazda to claim another distinction in history, having maintained the first foreign-born head of a Japanese car company, Henry Wallace.
Amid the world financial crisis in the fall of 2008, reports emerged that Ford was contemplating a sale of its stake in Mazda as a way of streamlining its asset base.[16] BusinessWeek explained the alliance between Ford and Mazda has been a very successful one, with Mazda saving perhaps $90 million a year in development costs and Ford “several times” that, and that a sale of its stake in Mazda would be a desperate measure.[17] On November 18, 2008, Ford announced that it would sell a 20% stake in Mazda, reducing its stake to 13.4% thus surrendering control of the company, which it held since 1996.[18][19]The following day, Mazda announced that, as part of the deal, it was buying back 6.8% of its shares from Ford for about US$185 million while the rest would be acquired by business partners of the company.[20] It was also reported that Hisakazu Imaki would be stepping down as chief executive, to be replaced by Takashi Yamanouchi.[21] On November 18, 2010, Ford reduced its stake further to 3%, citing the reduction of ownership would allow greater flexibility to pursue growth in emerging markets, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group was believed to become its largest shareholder. Ford and Mazda remained strategic partners through joint ventures and exchanges of technological information.
On September 30, 2015, when Ford’s shares had sunk to a little over 2% due to stock dilution, Ford sold its remaining shares in Mazda.
Post-partnership with Ford
In 2011, Mazda raised more than 150 billion yen (US$1.9 billion) in a record share sale to replenish capital, as it suffered its biggest annual loss in 11 years. Part of the proceeds were used to build an auto plant in Mexico.[25] The Mexican plant was built jointly by the company and Sumitomo Corporation.[26]
In May 2015, the company signed an agreement with Toyota to form a “long-term partnership”, that would, among others, see Mazda supply Toyota with fuel-efficient SkyActiv gasoline and diesel engine technology, in exchange for hydrogen fuel cell systems.
Historical products
Concept cars
Concept cars
SPARK MODEL – MAZDA 787B Test Car Matt Black
SPARK-MODEL – MAZDA – RX-500 1970 1st Color
SPARK-MODEL – MAZDA – RX-500 1971
SPARK-MODEL – MAZDA – RX-500 PROMOTIONAL 1971
KYOSHO – MAZDA – SAVANNA RX-3 N 6 TEST CAR 1971
HI-STORY – MAZDA – SHINARI CONCEPT 2010
Kid Box Ltd. – Mazda RX-Evolv, Tokyo Motor Show 1999,
SPARK MODEL – MAZDA FURAI 2007
Hi-Story Modelers – Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo GT6 MD43005
MAZDA CAR
EDICOLA-JAPAN – MAZDA – FAMILIA 800 1964
EBBRO – MAZDA – COSMO SPORT 1967
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – CAPELLA COUPE 1970
HI-STORY – MAZDA – SAVANNA SPORTS WAGON GR 1972
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – ROADPACER 1975
HI-STORY – MAZDA – COSMO AP SUPERCUSTOM 1975
KYOSHO – MAZDA – SAVANNA RX-7 COUPE (SA22C) 2-door 1978
EBBRO – MAZDA – SAVANNA RX7 GT 1978
NOREV – MAZDA – RX7 SAVANNA 1978
Hi-Story – Mazda Cosmo coupe Limited 1979
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – 626 MKI SEDAN 4-DOOR 1980
TRIPLE9 – MAZDA – 323 HATCHBACK 1982
WHITEBOX – MAZDA – 323 HATCHBACK 1982
KYOSHO – MAZDA – SAVANNA RX-7 GT-R (FC3S) 1985 – MAZDASPEED MS-01 WHEEL VERSION
Epoch Mtech – Mazda Savanna RX-7
IGNITION MODEL – Mazda Savanna RX-7
Hi-Story Modellers Mazda RX-7 FC3S Initial D Daisuke Takahashi PROJECT 1985
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – 929 COUPE 1985
IXO-MODELS – MAZDA – 323 GTX 1989
IXO-MODELS – MAZDA – 323 GTR 2-DOOR 1991
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – MX-3 1991
EBBRO – MAZDA autozam az-1 1992
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – 323F MKI 1992
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – 323F BA MKII 4-DOOR 1992
GREENLIGHT – MAZDA – RX-7 1993 – DOMINIC TORETTO – FAST & FURIOUS I (2001)
EDICOLA – MAZDA – RX-7 1993
Authentic Formule Kit – Mazda Xedos 6 1993
NEO SCALE MODELS – MAZDA – XEDOS 6 DKL 4-DOOR 1994
HI STORY – MAZDA EUNOS 500 20F (1994)
MTECH – MAZDA – RX-7 1996
GREENLIGHT – MAZDA – HAN’S RX-7 COUPE 1997 – FAST & FURIOUS III TOKYO DRIFT (2006)
KYOSHO – MAZDA – RX-7 (FD3S) TYPE RS-R 1997
EDICOLA – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER 1998
MARK43 – MAZDA Roadster MX-5 RS 1998
HONGWELL – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER 1998 – CON VETRINA – WITH SHOWCASE
MAXI-CAR – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – ROADSTER OPEN 2001
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – ROADSTER SOFT-TOP CLOSED 2001
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – ATENZA 2002
KYOSHO – MAZDA – RX-7 (FD3S) SPIRIT R TYPE A 2002
Hi-Story Modelers – Mazda Anfini RX-7 Type R FD3S PROJECT D
Peako MODEL – JP Hobby Mazda RX7 Veilside Fortune 7
J-COLLECTION – MAZDA – 6 5-DOORS 2002
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – RX-8 2003
AUTOART – MAZDA – RX-8 2003
AUTOART – MAZDA – RX-8 TUNED MAZASPEED 2003
HONGWELL – MAZDA – RX-8 COUPE 2-DOOR 2003
AUTOART – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER RHD TUNED BY MAZDASPEED – JAPANESE VERSION 2004
J-COLLECTION – MAZDA – 6 2004 BELGIUM POLITIE – POLICE
EBBRO – MAZDA – MX5 SPIDER 2005
Wit’s – Mazda MX-5 Roadster
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – RX8 COUPE 2008
AUTOART – MAZDA – 3 MPS 2008
NOREV – MAZDA – 6 BERLINA 2008
NOREV – MAZDA – 6 FW 2008
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – MX-5 ROADSTER OPEN 2013
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – MX-5 ROADSTER CLOSED 2013
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – 6 4-DOOR 2013
TRIPLE9 – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER CABRIOLET CLOSED 2013
HI-STORY – Mazda Demio XD Touring 2014
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – MX-5 ROADSTER OPEN 2015
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – MX-5 ROADSTER CLOSED 2015
VISION MODEL – MAZDA ROADSTER (ND) 2015
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – MX-5 SPIDER CABRIOLET 2016
Hi-Story – Mazda Atenza Wagon 2016
Hi-Story – Mazda Roadster RF 2016
WIT’s – Mazda Axela Hubrid Mazdaspeed 2017
WIT’S – MAZDA 3 AXELA SPORT MAZDASPEED 2017
MAKE UP – Mazda PANDEM ROADSTER (ND)
MAZDA SUV
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – CX-5 GERMAN TAXI 2012
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – CX-5 2012
TRIPLE9 – MAZDA – CX-5 2012
FIRST43-MODELS – MAZDA – CX-5 2013
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – CX-5 JAPANESE POLICE 2013
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – CX-5 JAPANESE POLICE WITH LED ROOF SIGN 2013
PREMIUM-X – MAZDA – CX-5 JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY AMBULANCE 2013
Wit’s – Mazda CX-5 M’Z Custom Skyactiv-D 2014
Hi-Story – Mazda CX-5 2015
MAZDA MINIBUS
J-COLLECTION – MAZDA – MPV 2003
J-COLLECTION – MAZDA – 8 2006
Wit’s – Mazda MPV 23S
MAZDA TRICAR
EBBRO – MAZDA – T2000 3 WHEELS – 3 RUOTE 1962
EBBRO – MAZDA – T2000 VAN TELONATO 3 WHEELS – 3 RUOTE 1962
EBBRO – MAZDA – T600 PICK-UP 1962
EBBRO – MAZDA – K360 1962 – SOFT TOP
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