History of Mazda

In 1920, the Japanese company Mazda was founded, which during the first years of its existence was engaged in the creation of machine tools, cooperating with the largest companies in the country. In addition, from 1921 to 1931, the company was engaged in the development of several variants of motorcycles, but they never went into production. However, in 1931, the first car under the Mazda brand was introduced – a four-wheeled light truck, which was very popular in the domestic automobile market of Japan. And in 1932, its deliveries began to the Chinese automobile market, but already under the name “Mazda Go”.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, the Mazda factories were retrained to produce engines for aircraft and military trucks. However, in early 1945, production was completely suspended, and the plant was completely destroyed on August 9, after the bombing of Hiroshima, where Mazda’s production facilities were located.

After the emperor of Japan declared Hiroshima a city of peace, the entire industry of Hiroshima began to recover, and huge sums of money were offered to those who voluntarily opened production in the newly built city to create new jobs. Thus, the Mazda company gained a second wind and already in 1949 introduced a three-wheeled truck equipped with a motorcycle power unit from Honda.

In 1958, the first four-wheel truck Mazda Romper was introduced, which had a two-cylinder power unit of its own production under the hood, with a capacity of 35 horsepower. In subsequent years, Romper received a number of modifications, gaining recognition from customers.

Two years later, after the first success of the restored Mazda company, the company’s engineers presented the brand’s first passenger car – the compact coupe Mazda R360 Coupe. In the future, the company began to massively popularize and modernize the technology of rotary engines, introducing in 1967 the first passenger car Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S, equipped with a rotary power unit. However, the company’s business deteriorated due to large-scale investments in the construction of new production facilities. As a result, 25% of the shares were purchased by the American concern Ford, which expanded its presence in the Japanese automobile market. In addition, Mazda engineers have at their disposal the technology of a new partner, which formed the basis of all future models of the Japanese brand.

In 1964, the company released its first family car Mazda Familia, which immediately won the title of best car in Japan. And after 3 years, this model began to be officially supplied to the automotive markets of Europe and New Zealand, expanding the presence of Mazda in more than 20 automotive markets around the world.

In 1981, Mazda entered the automobile market of the United States of America, becoming one of the largest automakers in Japan. In addition, the company has won a number of awards, both in the field of automotive engineering and in the field of technological innovation, thanks to the successful production of new rotary power units, which debuted five years later on the Mazda RX-7 compact coupe. Two years later, a coupe version of the RX-7 was introduced.

In 1989, the most popular car of the company in its history was introduced – the compact MX-5 convertible, which became the brand’s most successful model and received many upgrades in the future. In the same year, the Efini brand was introduced, designed to compete with the Lexus and Infiniti brands in the American automotive market. Thanks to the successful work on the evolution of rotary engines, the Mazda factory team managed to win the most prestigious motorsport marathon, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.

However, the crisis in the Japanese economy had a negative impact on the further growth of the company. However, this did not prevent the company from releasing another successful car – Mazda Demio, which was known as Mazda 2 in the European and American automotive markets. In 1995, the Ford concern expanded its shareholding to 35%, thus gaining full control over the production course of the Mazda brand. As a result, all subsequent cars of both brands had a common platform, which made it possible to reduce the cost of production.

In 2000, Mazda became the first representative of the automotive industry to introduce a feedback system with its customers via the Internet, which made it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of the marketing department, as well as make certain improvements in their cars. A year later, the first fruits of such work were obtained, which allowed the company to release its first Mazda Atenza family sedan. In addition, in the same year, the second generation of the brand’s roadster, called the RX-8, was introduced.

In 2005, another update of the company’s lineup began, which by that time included compact hatchback and sedan models. The first new model was the Mazda 5, a mid-size minivan targeted for sale in Europe and the United States, and in 2006 the brand’s first all-wheel drive vehicle, the Mazda CX-7 mid-size crossover, was introduced. A year later, a full-size version of the 7th model was introduced, which had two additional seats and a more powerful six-cylinder power unit with a capacity of 273 horsepower. The model was called the Mazda CX-9, and its first generation was sold exclusively in the United States of America. By 2008, all current cars of the Japanese brand were completely updated, which subsequently made it possible to significantly expand the target audience of the company.

In 2012, the brand’s first car was introduced – the Mazda CX-5 compact crossover, which received a new look that became decisive for all other Mazda models upgraded over the next year. In addition, at the beginning of 2013, the release of new sports models of the company with rotary power units of the new generation was announced. Half a year later, a hatchback was presented, which was an updated Mazda3. At the same time Mazda6 is recognized as one of the safest cars in the world. The company took the safety and health of motorists seriously, which was confirmed once again when, just a few weeks later, it introduced an improved security system. According to the engineers, it was supposed to provide the car with the ability to exchange information even with trams, thereby reducing the risk of a collision.

At all Mazda 2013 showrooms, new versions of the Mazda3. In Europe, this model was unanimously recognized as the “Car of the Year 2014”. The new season started with debuts. Not wanting to get hung up on one car, the company’s management moved on to demonstrating new products. The HAZUMI concept car, which appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, was presented as the concept of an ideal subcompact car that combines all 4 key aspects of the new generation of Mazda.

On the eve of the exhibition in Paris, many hoped to see another new representative of the Mazda line, but the company’s management decided to change the course of events somewhat. As a result, Mazda2 debuted in Spain. A few months later, already in Los Angeles, two more models opened up to the eyes of motorists – the first compact SUV Mazda CX-3 and the fourth generation Mazda MX-5. Frankfurt Salon 2015 was marked by the appearance of a new conceptual crossover Mazda KOERU.