Mazda History

Launched in 1920 as cork-producer Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, it moved into three-wheeled trucks in 1931. The name changed to Toyo Kogyo and, when Jujiro Matsuda became president, he branded the products 'Mazda'. It was the Japanese pronunciation of his surname but also resembled an old Persian word meaning 'light'.

Mazda's 1931 three-wheeler was essentially a wagon attached to a motorcycle, but a four-wheeled truck came six years later, followed by a prototype car in 1940. Fortuitously, the Mazda factory miraculously survived World War II, despite the atomic devastation of its hometown, Hiroshima.

After WWII, Mazda returned to making three-wheelers, then unveiled the delightfully named Romper four-wheel.. truck in 1958. Next came the diminutive R360 coupe, which boasted an air ­cooled, twin-cylinder engine that propelled the little coupe along at a maximum of 90km/h.

The subsequent Mazda Carol had four cylinders and water-cooling. However, the first 'real' Mazda was the 800 sedan, which received a rave report in Wheels' May, 1965 edition.

The Luce 1500 that followed was widely acclaimed for its Bertone-inspired elegance and equipment. And get this­ an Australian press release claimed the car had everything you would expect in a Rolls-Royce!

With 21 passenger and commercials lines, Mazda proudly exports products to 148 destinations around the world. Exports to the U.S. date back to 1970, and Mazda has over a quarter century of history exporting to Europe . Cumulative total exports worldwide now approach approximately 20 million units. Mazda carries the unique distinction as the only automaker featuring three types of engines: conventional gasoline piston, diesel, and rotary.

Today, Mazda's heritage is bolstered by the efforts of its Global R&D Network, as well as some groundbreaking partnerships with other progressive forces in the automotive industry. The ongoing collaboration with Ford Motor Company to jointly design and manufacture vehicles in both the U.S. and abroad is a perfect example.

While the quality and value of Mazda vehicles speak for themselves, a closer look at Mazda as a corporation reveals a global commitment to serving as responsible corporate citizens. In 1992, Mazda Motor Corporation adopted the "Mazda Global Environmental Charter." Since that time, Mazda has been dedicated to furthering its commitment to the environment in order to achieve greater harmony among cars, society, and nature. These actions include: zero landfill measure, fuel efficiency improvement, and reduction of emissions. Mazda has also pioneered research into alternative fuel sources like compressed natural gas, hydrogen and electricity, while eliminating the production of CFCs and the use of asbestos in the manufacture of cars.

At the core of Mazda is a passion for the road. Based on our brand message “Zoom-Zoom,” Mazda delivers that passion through “Stylish,” “Insightful” and “Spirited” products, focusing on an emotional connection with customers. Our vision is to create new value, and to excite and delight customers through the best automotive products and services. By continually striving for this goal, Mazda will be an unbeatable automotive competitor well into the 21st century.