The History of Mazda Corp

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The company's name,"Mazda, (マツダ Matsuda )" derives from Ahura Mazda, a god of the earliest civilizations of West Asia. We have interpreted Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, intelligence and harmony, as the symbol of the origins of both Eastern and Western civilization, and also the primitive symbol of the automobile culture. To understand why a Japanese company should choose a name from a Persian religion you need to go back to August 6th 1875, and the birth of Jujiro Matsuda the twelfth son of a poor Japanese fisherman.

Jujiro's father died while he was very young and after a spell at sea Jujiro became a Blacksmiths apprentice at the age of 13. By the time he was 19 he was running his own business with 50 workers, but it went bust, as did his next venture. Jujiro's next two business were successful, the latest being bought by a large steel company.

During World War 1, Japan was deprived of European Cork. A company called Toyo Cork Kogyo had been formed to utilize a domestic equivalent from the thick bark of the Abemaki tree. At wars end however with the resumption of superior European Cork supplies the company was in difficulty, and was reorganized by its primary lending bank.

Jujiro Matsuda was appointed to the companies board of directors, shortly afterwards he replaced the ill company President.
Not surprisingly Jujiro changed the companies direction from agriculture to manufacturing, and dropped the Cork part of the name in the process, so in 1927 began the Toyo (Orient) Kogyo (Industry) Kaisha (Company) Ltd. Much of the work was for Japans growing military, it was lucrative but fluctuated wildly. Matsuda saw more potential in civilian products.

1962
The R360 was replaced in 1962 with the Mazda P360 Carol, (the company's first 4-passenger car. It was larger than the Mazda R360 it replaced,(running on a 193 cm wheelbase for a total length of 298 cm. It used a rear-mounted water-cooled 358 cc 4-cylinder OHV engine,(the smallest 4-cylinder automobile engine in history.

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Introduces Mazda Carol 600 and first Mazda 4-passenger car. The Carol 600 appeared in the Fall of 1962 with a larger 586 cc OHV engine and a longer 320 cm length. It was available as a 4-door sedan in late 1963.





1968
Introduces Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe (R100). The Mazda link] R100 used the chassis from the Familia and the rotary Wankel engine quick summary:
The wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine, invented by felix wankel, which uses a rotor instead of reciprocating piston engine|pistons.It was a 2 door 2+2 coupe and was produced from 1968 to 1973. It was also known as the Familia Presto Rotary and was quite ordinary except for its powerplant. Power was rated at just 100 hp due to a small carburetor.

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1975
Introduction of the famous "Mazda" typeface, which is still being used today.

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1981
Mazda (North America),Inc. and Mazda Motors Representative Office(Europe) are established.

Introduces Mazda Cosmo/Luce (929) series.

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1985
•Opens Hiroshima Technical Research Center.

•Introduces all-new FWD in Japan.Global Road Circuit opens at Miyoshi Proving Ground.production of 10 million passenger cars.

•Mazda Savanna RX–7 breaks the IMSA record for a single model car with 67 victories.

•Introduces all-new Mazda Savanna RX–7.






•Introduces new Mazda B-series.

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1989
Unveils Mazda MX–5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show in the U.S.



Introduces new Mazda Familia (323) series.

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•Introduces Autozam Carol in Japan.




1993
•Electric-powered vehicles based on the Mazda MX–5 are developed in conjunction with Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

•Mazda enters the passenger car market in the Philippines. An agreement for
technological cooperation in the production of pick-up trucks in Fuchou, China is signed. Cumulative production of Hofu-produced vehicle reaches 3 million units.

•Purchasing of new compact pick-up trucks from Ford for release in Canada and the U.S. starts.

•Unveils HR–X2 and Eunos 800 (Xedos 9/Millenia) at the Frankfurt Motor Show.



HR–X2




•Mazda unveiled the initial prototype of its hydrogen car, the HR-X, in 1991. In 1993 it issued an improved version, with greater engine output, known as the HRX2. The particular features of the hydrogen rotary engine (RE) vehicle include the fact that it employs a rotary engine, which by virtue of its construction is extremely suitable for use with hydrogen, and the fact that it incorporates a fuel tank using hydrogen-absorbing metal alloy (metal hydride), which is uniquely configured for the safe storage of hydrogen as fuel.
•Mazda has also performed on-road tests to a total distance of 20,000 km since 1995, using an experimental hybrid based on the mass-produced Capella Cargo. These tests have been used to confirm the safety and reliability of Mazda's hydrogen vehicle system. The hydrogen RE car uses an internal combustion engine, meaning that it is impossible to reduce NOx emissions to zero, but it does emit extremely clean exhaust gas. In addition, due to the fact that the vehicle burns hydrogen in place of gasoline, the technical experience that Mazda has accrued as a vehicle manufacturer in the production of engines is being put to good use in this development work.

•ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) concept loaded with a collision-avoidance system and other future safety technologies are developed.

•Mazda and Ford enter into a long-term strategic relationship to enhance competitive strength. Cumulative production of Mazda MX-5 reaches 300,000 units.

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1997


•New Familia (323) 3-door hatchback is introduced in Europe.




•Mazda implements a new merit-based personnel system.


•Mazda inaugurates its new brand symbol, the Mazda M.



The shape symbolises the characteristics of wings, sun and the circle of light.
The badge for the new millennium Capturing the spirit of Mazda, the stylized "M" evokes an image of wings in flight and symbolises Etude's flight towards the futue. The "V" in the centre of the "M" spreads out like an opening fan, representing the creativity, vitality, flexibility and passion that is Mazda. The symbol as a whole expresses the sharp, solid feeling that Mazda will be seeking in all of its products. The dynamic circle symbolises our readiless to spread our wings as we enter the 21st century.

•Mazda resumes exports to Taiwan.


•Introduces an all-new Capella/626 sedan and station wagon in Japan and Europe.




•James E. Miller is appointed president.


•Mazda develops the Demio FCEV, fuel-cell electric vehicle.

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2000
•AAT starts producing the 323.

•Cumulative production of MPV reaches 500,000 units.

•Mazda participates in the joint project of the test run of fuel cell vehicles in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler Japan Holding Ltd. and Nippon Mitsubishi Oil.

•Mazda establishes Mazda Telematics Center.

•Mazda headquarters and Hiroshima plant acquire environmental ISO 14001 certification.

•Mazda Roadster is recognized in Guinness World Book of Records.

•Mazda makes major changes to Roadster and Millenia.

•Cumulative production at AAT reaches 100,000 units.

•Mazda introduces MDI.

•Mazda introduces brand new Titan Dash.


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•Mazda introduces brand new Tribute.

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2002
•Mazda opens company day-care center.
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•Cumulative production volume at Hofu Plant reaches 5 million units.
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•Cumulative production at AAT reaches 200,000 units.

•Mazda commences production of MZR engines.


•Mazda provides service to ‘create drive routes’ on mobile phones.

•Mazda introduces new brand message ‘Zoom-Zoom.’

Press Release

•Mazda introduces personnel development program.

•Mazda makes major changes to MPV.

•Mazda launches distribution joint venture in Austria.

•Mazda takes new initiative to enhance corporate governance.

•Mazda launches the brand new Mazda Atenza, which receives over 60 domestic
and world-wide awards.

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•Mazda adds Atenza SPORT WAGON 4WD.

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•Lewis Booth confirmed Mazda President.

•Mazda collaborates in celebrating 100th birthday of inventor of rotary engine,Dr. Wankel.

•Mazda launches enhanced Roadster.

•Mazda develops next generation engines MZR 1.3/1.5.
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