Mazda

Mazda is a company the history of which started basically with cork. In fact this company founded by Jujiro Matsuda in 1920 was initially producing construction materials of cork. Matsuda, born in 1875, was the twelfth son of a fisherman in Hiroshima prefecture. Being 20 he founded a blacksmith, but soon it was closed because of unprofitableness. In 11 years he started the blacksmith business again and even took out a patent for an air-pump, but as soon as in several years the business closed again. After several more attempts of launching a business of his own Matsuda joined several other investors, and they purchased a bankrupt Abemaki company located in Hiroshima that manufactured cork products. In was renamed to Toyo Cork Kogyo; next year Matsuda was elected its president. At that time the company didn’t have any relation to automobiles and only produced cork construction materials. This business allowed laying the financial basis for further development.

In 1927 the word “cork” was excluded from the company’s name, now it was titled Toyo Kogyo, Ltd., indicating the company’s orientation towards industrial production. After releasing a small test series of motorcycles in 1920ies the company launched machine production since 1929. In 1930 one of the motorcycles they constructed even managed to win a race.

Since 1931 the company started production of automobiles of genuinely Japanese style, 3-wheeled small trucks equipped with 500 cc motors. They chose the word Mazda as its brand-name because it, being actually the named of Zoroastrian supreme god of light, sounded similar to the surname of company founder, Matsuda. Since 1932 they started exporting Mazda trucks to China. Before the World War II started the company constructed several concept Kogyo passenger cars, but their batch production didn’t have time to start because of the War.

After the War and the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima Toyo Kogyo fortunately was demolished only partially, so as soon as in 1950 the company launched production of 3-wheeled trucks with 1157 cc motors, titled Kogyo Type CT, compact fire-engines and ordinary trucks. In 1952 Jujiro Matsuda died; the year before his son Tenuji became the president of Kogyo Company. The company started producing passenger cars only after 1960, when the ordinary Japanese became well-to-do enough.

The first model released was Kogyo R360, a 2-door city-side car equipped with a 2-cylinder motor of 356 cc volume. This Kogyo wasn’t very luxurious, yet it was inexpensive and comfortable.

Besides in 1960 a series of events, which impacted the further history of Mazda Company, occurred. The headquarters of Kogyo were visited by a representative of German company NSU Dr. Haas; Kogyo president Matsuda also paid a visit to Germany, where he signed a preliminary agreement concerning collaboration of Kogyo and NSU for development and production of rotary Wankel motors.

The official commencement of this collaboration was 1961, after Kogyo-NSU agreement was ratified by Japanese government. That year the compact pickup Mazda Proceed (B-series 1500) was released. Next year the model range was extended more with Kogyo Carol model, available as 2 versions: 2-door Carol-360 and 4-door sedan Carol-600. As well as many other early Japanese cars Kogyo Carol was designed just like Ford Anglia.

As early as in 1963 the total number of cars they released reached 1 million; the first rotary engine Kogyo constructed was demonstrated in Tokyo. In 1964 the history of Kogyo Familia model started after its first generation was born. Mazda 800 cc Station Wagon started being imported to New Zealand. After constructing Mioshi testing ground in 1965 Kogyo got involved in technical collaboration with UK Perkins Services N.V. model for constructing diesel engines.

1967 was the year when Mazda Cosmo Sports model (110S) debuted; it was first Mazda car equipped with a rotary engine. That very year the full-scale export to European market began. During the following years production of models equipped with rotary engines started in a row: in 1968 Kogyo Familia Rotary Coupe (R100) was released; in 1969 Kogyo Rotary SS Sedan; in 1970 Kogyo Capella RX-2. By 1970 100,000 cars with rotary engines were produced.

Moreover, in 1969 Kogyo collaborated with Ford for the first time for joint production of automatic transmissions, set to work an assembling plant in New Zealand; also in 1970 they started exporting Mazda cars to USA.

1970ies started with production of another rotary-engine model, Savanna (RX-3), produced in 1971. Next year, in 1972 Luce (RX-4) was introduced. The company crossed 5 million sales mark; by 1973 export reached 1 million Kogyos. Rotary engine cars sold rather well, but the oil crisis of 1974 caused considerable losses, since rotary engines consumed more fuel and oil than other types of engines.

In 1975, 1976 and 1977 Rod Millen won the national New Zealand rally driving Mazda RX-3 car; in 1978 Mazda Savanna RX-7 model appeared. All the advantages of rotary engines were used for constructing it; this model became the fastest one among the cars Kogyo offered, equipped with a motor of 105 horsepower capacity allowing this Kogyo model make up to 200 km/h.

At the same time, in 1978 the millionth car with rotary-piston engine was released. In 1979 Rod Millen moved to USA and became a rally champion there after winning the rally for two years in a row. Also, Ford Motors purchased 25% of stocks of Toyo Kogyo enterprise.

In 1980 Kogyo Familia was nominated the Car of the Year in Japan. At that time Mazda car brand took a firm stand in the world car market. In 1981 its offices were established in USA and Europe; in 1982 Kogyo Capella model was nominated the Car of the Year in Japan. In 1983 this model was also considered the best import car by Motor Trend magazine and got many prestigious international awards. A laboratory for aerodynamic tests was constructed at Mioshi testing grounds; a new family of minivans was introduced, Bongo/Bongo Brawny. Kogyo contracted a financial alliance with Kia Motors after purchasing 8% of its holdings.

Since 1984 it was finally renamed to Mazda Motor Corporation. In 1987 Motor Trend magazine named Mazda Savanna RX-7 the Import Car of the Year, at the same time in Bonneville this Mazda model held the national speed record, 383.724 km/h in SCTA’s C/Grand Touring class. In 1987 marking the 20th anniversary of rotary Mazda engine Mazda Savanna RX-7 was introduced with Cabriole body.

Mazda car production was set to work in Michigan on the new Mazda Motor Manufacturing Corporation (MMUC) plant; a new Mazda research center was established in Yokohama; Ford Festiva (121) model was released, produced by a Mazda plant. In 1988 Mazda Motor of America Inc. and Mazda Research and Development of North America (MRA) were established in USA in order to consolidate all operations Mazda carried out in USA.

New Mazda MPV hit the American market. Mazda invented a new dyeing technology, named Hi-Reflex. In 1989 on a car show in Chicago Mazda presented Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster. Due to its successful design and low price this model became really popular in USA and many other countries. Another special model, Mazda Autozam Carol was presented on a car show in Tokyo. Mazda started importing Citroen BX to Japan; next 1990 they imported Citroen AX.

In 1990such models, as Mazda MPV, Mazda Eunos Cosmo (equipped with a car navigation system) and Mazda Autozam Revue (121) were introduced. Mazda MX5 became Car of the Year in New Zealand; the total number of cars Mazda produced reached as much as 25 million (1 million out of that number were Mazda RX-7s); Mazda office was established in Germany.

In 1991 lux-class sedan Mazda Sentia (929) was released in Japan; Mazda 787B won the 24-hour Le Mans rally (that was the first victory of a Japanese make in that race and the only victory of a car equipped with a rotary engine); on the 29th car show in Tokyo Mazda HR-X concept model was presented, equipped with a rotary engine working on hydrogen; Efini distribution line was established across Japan; new Mazda Cronos sedan appeared.

In 1992 the 300 thousandth Mazda MX-5 was sold; Mazda RX-7 won a 24-hour Dayton rally in GTU class for the 11th year in a row; Mazda Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Michigan (USA) became Auto Alliance International, Inc. (AAI), Mazda and Ford had equal share in that company; another new model Mazda MX-6 was introduced in Japan through Eunos distribution line; exclusively for internal market of Japan Mazda AZ-1 model, a 2-seater mini-car, was released through Autozam distribution line, plus Mazda Eunos 500 (Xedos 6).

At the same time the ecological branch of Mazda activity developed intensively. The Global Ecological Mazda Charter was accepted; a new neutralizing catalyst was synthesized that reduced oil from all kinds of plastic, as well as the first recyclable plastic composite in the world. Experimental plants for collecting and recycling plastic bumpers.

In 1993 Mazda entered the Philippine market of passenger cars and signed a long-term agreement with Ford aiming to increase competitiveness of their cars. On a car show in Frankfurt they presented Mazda HR-X2 and a prototype of Mazda Eunos 800 (Xedos 9) model that elicited big public interest. New compact sport model Mazda Lantis was released in Japan. Next year, in 1994 Mazda museum was open; Mazda truck working on compressed gas and Mazda electrocar on the basis of E-class estate car were designed. Mazda training centers were established in Florida and China; a new model appeared, Mazda AZ Wagon minivan; Mazda was the first among Japanese car enterprises that got ecological ISO 9002 certification.

In 1995 the total number of Mazda Familia (323) cars produced in Japan reached 10 million; the overall total amount of cars Mazda produced was 30 million. Mazda office was established in Portugal. Mazda initiated testing hydrogen cars on the highways of common use; a brand new Mazda model appeared, titled Bongo Friendee.

Next year, in 1996 the proportion of Ford share increased from 25% to 33.4%; Henry Wallis became the president of Mazda; a new model Mazda Demio was released in Japan; that very year it was exported, plus it was nominated the Car of the Year in Japan. Mazda 121 model manufactured on Ford plants appeared in European markets.

Mazda launched a new Mazda Digital Innovation (MDI) system, an informational technology allowing renew radically all stages of car production, from designing to assembling. Mazda got ISO 9001 certificate, and again they were the first to get it among other Japanese car enterprises. Since 1997 Mazda’s logo changed to what we see today; a new performance appraisal system was introduced among Mazda personnel; exporting Mazda products to Taiwan was resumed; James Miller was elected the new president of Mazda.

New Mazda Demio FCEV model was elaborated, working on fuel cells. Next year, in 1998 Mazda joined the Ford/Daimler/Benz/Ballard alliance for developing the fuel cell technologies, established Mazda employment consulting center for women and increased its activity in European market, plus launched production of small Mazda turbo-diesel engines with direct injection. In 1999 Mazda MX-5 had its 10th anniversary; Mazda signed an agreement with Mitsubishi concerning production of small commercial cars; new models were set to production – Tribute and Premacy. Furthermore, Mazda proclaimed a special policy improving the work environment for women. Mazda president changed again, this time they elected Mark Fields.

In 2000 Mazda entered the field of e-commerce, its e-Business Enabling Office was founded, plus certain steps were taken for facilitating interacting with Mazda customers via Internet.

Mazda Roadster, that got a brand-new body design that year, entered Guinness Book of Records. On a car show in Detroit Mazda RX-Evolve concept car was demonstrated, being the predecessor of contemporary Mazda RX-8 model. Mazda joined the project of testing cars working on fuel cells carried out by Daimler Chrysler Japan Holding and Nippon Mitsubishi Oil together.

In 2001 new Mazda Atenza model was demonstrated on a car show in Tokyo and a pilot version of RX-8 with rotary Renesis engine; Ford plant in Valencia (Spain) was chosen to be the European base for producing compact Mazda cars; Mazda Roadster got the main award of “Auto Color Award 2001” contest; Mazda found new ways of using recycled plastic bumpers. Sport modifications of numerous Mazda models were released.

In 2002 Mazda opened a day nursery for the kids of its employees and released a new modification of Mazda MPV model, titled Sports F that was designed by women engineers; took part in celebrating the 100th anniversary of construction of rotary Wankel engine; entered the car market of China with Mazda 323 model; developed the first ecologically-friendly car-dye in the world; developed an efficient personnel selection program.

At present Mazda stopped production of luxurious cars (Mazda Millenia sedan presented this class in Mazda model range). Now the main direction of production is passenger cars of small and middle class and sport models, that Mazda top-management considers the most perspective and profitable for the company. Among its sport models the world-famous Mazda RX-7 model was replaced with Mazda RX-8. Concerning the issues of strategies of development and sales the company collaborates effectively with Ford, yet Ford doesn’t interfere in Mazda’s production politics. Mazda can positively be considered a world car enterprise, its assembling plants are situated in 21 countries allowing it export its cars to 120 world countries.