Mazda Company History

Mazda is a Japanese car brand that was created in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo. The company was founded by Jujiro Matsuda. Mazda manufacture a full range of passenger vehicles, pickups, light trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, and high performance cars in Japan and factories around the world. They’re best known for their reliable cars with nice designs at an affordable price. Mazda headquarters are currently in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Mazda Motor Corporation is Matsuda Kabushiki-gaisha or マツダ株式会社 in Japanese.

Mazda Company Timeline – History

1920 – Jujiro Matsuda creates Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd to manufacture machine tools.

1931 – Toyo Kogyo begins manufacturing vehicles instead of machines. It’s first car, the Mazda-Go is released. Every car from now on is named “Mazda” after the Iranian prophet Zoroaster who, in the Avestan language, is named Ahura Mazda.

1960 – Mazda R360 introduced

1962 – Mazda introduces the Mazda Carol

1967 – Mazda begins incorporating it’s new Wankel rotary engine into its cars, starting with the Cosmo Sport.

1970 – Mazda enters the North American automobile market and creates

1973 – The oil crisis forces Mazda to focus more attention on piston engines and puts more effort int selling a more fuel-efficient line of cars starting with the Familia and Capella series.

1979 – The Ford Motor Company purchases a 7 percent stake in Mazda and begins an on-going partnership.

1984 – Toyo Kogyo formally becomes Mazda as the company name and not just the name for automobiles.

1991 – Mazda helps Ford build the Ford Explorer which turns out to be America’s best-selling SUV but does not sell well in Japan.

1997 – Mazda uses the new stylized M logo for their company.

1997 – Ford increases its stake in Mazda and holds a total of 33.9 percent of the controlling shares of the company.

2002 – Ford acquires an additional 5-percent stake in Mazda.

2003 – Mazda produces the Mazda3, known as the Mazda Axela in Japan to replace the Mazda 323. The compact hatch or sedan will go to be one of the best sellers for the Japanese car maker.

2008 – Ford announces sale of 20% of Mazda shares as a result of the economic crisis, bringing Ford’s share down to 13.4%.

2010 – The Ford Motor Company further reduces its stake in the Japanese auto maker to just 3 percent.

2015 – Ford sells its remaining shares in Mazda.

2015 – The Mazda company produced 1.5 million vehicles, making it the 15th largest auto company in the world by cars produced.

2016 – Mazda employs a total 46,398 people worldwide.

2020 – Mazda Motor Corporation celebrates 100 years in business. The company is still innovating and adapting to the times, looking to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles.

More on Mazda Vehicles

Please add to the conversation on the Mazda car company in the comments below. Have you ever owned a Mazda and what do you think of them? Check out the Mazda company page here, Mazda Dealerships, Mazda Quotes, or the Mazda Logo history here.