Mazda History | Heritage, Innovation & Evolution in Singapore

1920

Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd
is founded in Hiroshima, Japan.

Jujiro Matsuda - Founder of Mazda

1927

Company name changed to
Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.

1929

Manufacturing of Toyo machine tools begins.
A prototype 250cc two-stroke engine is built.

A prototype 250cc two-stroke engine is built.

1938

Introduction of the three-wheel truck Type-GA (Green Panel).

This model was equipped with a 669cc
engine and a four-speed transmission.

Three-wheel truck
Type-GA (Green Panel)

1940

Builds prototype of a small passenger car.

1960

Introduction of R360 Coupe.

The first Mazda 2-door passenger car. The R360 Coupe had four seats and was powered by a 356cc air-cooled 16-horsepower engine.

Thanks to comprehensive weight savings, it achieved fuel economy of 32km/litre. The model range included a version with an automatic transmission.

R360 Coupe

At just 300,000 yen, the R360 Coupe brought the dream of owning a car within the reach of
salaried workers, and in December 1960 alone, 4,090 units were bought by eager customers.

1962

Introduction of Carol 600, first
Mazda 4-door passenger car.

Carol 600

1967

Introduction of Mazda Cosmo Sports 110S,

Mazda Cosmo Sports 110S

Mazda's first rotary engine vehicle.

The Cosmo Sport, a two-seat sports car that cost 1,480,000 yen, was powered by a 491cc x 2 two-rotor rotary engine that generated 110 horsepower. It achieved a maximum speed of 185km/h and a quarter mile (400m) time of 16.3 seconds.

In the following year, power was upgraded to 128 horsepower, maximum speed to 200km/h, and its quarter mile time to 15.8 seconds. The price of the new version was 1,580,000 yen.

1969

Begins full-scale exports of rotary engine vehicles. Ford, Nissan and Mazda agree to establish Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO).

Luce Rotary Coupe

1970

Introduction of 1st generation model of Capella.

Capella

Mazda developed the Capella as a sporty saloon to fill the gap in its line-up between the Familia and the Luce. There were two body types, a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan, and two engines, a two-rotor 12A rotary engine (120 horsepower) and a 1,600cc reciprocating engine (100 horsepower).

The Capella quickly became popular and earned the nickname, "Kaze no Capella" or "Capella, the Wind," thanks to its 190km/h top speed.

1971

Introduction of Savanna RX-3 and Grand Familia Mazda 808/818, Mizer

Savanna RX-3

Grand Familia Mazda 808/818, Mizer

1975

Introduction of Mazda RX-5 Cosmo.

Mazda RX-5 Cosmo

1978

Introduction of 1st generation Savanna RX-7
and 3rd
generation Capella Mazda 626.

1st generation Savanna RX-7

3rd generation Capella Mazda 626

1979

Cumulative production reaches 10 million vehicles.

1981

Introduction of 4th-generation Luce 929. This model came in two body types: four-door hardtop with wrap-around rear window and four-door saloon.

Five engines were available: a 12A rotary engine with six-port induction, a 2.0-liter MA EGI gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter MA gasoline engine, a 1.8-liter VC gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter diesel engine. The rotary engine variant was introduced in November.

Luce 929

1984

Company is renamed as Mazda Motor Corporation.

1987

Introduction to Savanna RX-7 Cabriolet, also known as RX-7 Convertible.

RX-7 Convertible

1989

Introducing the first-generation Eunos Roadster MX-5 Miata.

Eunos Roadster MX-5 Miata

This was a legitimate sportscar in which driving pleasure was thoroughly pursued.

Following its debut at the Chicago Auto Show, the car received a great response from across the world. In Japan, car-ordering events were held in various locations. With the affordable price of 1.7 million yen, this car became a big hit.

1991

Mazda 787B No.55 wins the Le Mans 24-Hour Endurance Race.

It claimed the first victory for a Japanese automobile and the rotary engine. Mazda's first attempt at the Le Mans 24-hour race came in 1974.

The Mazda Auto Tokyo (now Mazdaspeed) team entered a Sigma MC74 chassis powered by the 12A rotary engine. Mazda tried again in 1979 and then every year from 1981until 1991, when, on its 13th attempt, a rotary engined car finally took the checkered flag.

Mazda 787B

1998

New corporate symbol is released globally.

Mazda Roadster MX-5

In the same year, Mazda Introduced the 2nd generations Mazda Roadster MX-5. Fixed headlamps were adopted and it came with a 1.8-liter I4 DOHC engine (with max. power (net) of 145ps/6500rpm) or a 1.6-liter I4 DOHC engine (with max power (net) of 125 ps at 6500 rpm). A 6-speed manual transmission model was available with the 1.8-liter engine.

2003

Releases all-new Mazda RX-8.

The Mazda RX-8 is a four-door, four-seat sports car powered by Mazda's revolutionary RENESIS rotary engine.

Thanks to the engineering innovation behind RENESIS, Mazda was able to furnish the RX-8 with sports car styling and driving performance, and comfortably accommodate four adults.

Mazda RX-8

2005

MX-5 wins 2005-2006 Japan
Car of the Year.

Mazda MX-5

Hisakazu Imaki, President and CEO of Mazda, receives 2006 RJC (Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan) Person of The Year Award.

2014

World premiere of 4th generation MX-5.

which was unveiled at simultaneous fan events in Japan, USA and Spain

4th generation Mazda MX-5

2015

1st generation CX-3 goes on sale.
World premiere of 2nd generation CX-9.

1st generation Mazda CX-3

2nd generation Mazda CX-9

2016

World premiere of CX-4, an all-new crossover SUV.
Global production of Mazda3 Axela reaches 5 million units.

Mazda CX-4

Mazda3 Axela

2018

Announces major update for Mazda6 and updates for Mazda CX-5 and CX-8

Mazda6

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-8

2019

Unveils Mazda CX-30 compact crossover SUV at Geneva International Motor Show.
Launches Mazda CX-30 crossover SUV.

2021

Launches Mazda's first production electric vehicle, Mazda MX-30 EV model in Japan.

Mazda MX-30 EV

2022

Begins sales of Mazda CX-60 globally.

Mazda CX-60

2023

Announces e-SPORTS event “MAZDA SPIRIT RACING GT CUP 2023”.

Unveils the Mazda Iconic SP for the first time at Japan Mobility Show.

2024

Mazda CX-80 SUV unveiled in Europe.

Mazda CX-80 SUV

Mazda EZ-6

Mazda 創 Arata

In the same year, Mazda unveiled the all-new electrified vehicle, Mazda EZ-6, and the Mazda 創 Arata, the design concept model of electrofied vehicle at Auto China 2024.

Mazda launches redesigned corporate website.