Mazda Motor Corporation, a Japanese automotive company, is based in Hiroshima, Japan. In 2007, Mazda produced over 1.2 million vehicles for sales around the world.
They say that the name Mazda comes from the Avestan language. Ahura Mazda translates to source of wisdom, intelligence and/or harmony. The creator of the company was Jujiro Matsuda, a very spiritual man, ergo the name. He chose to rename the firm to honor his family and his relgion, Zoroatrianism.
Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., LTD was the name of the company back in 1920. Toyo Cork Kogyo (Toyo Kogyo) manufactured machine tools by then. He then changed to entire vehicles by 1931. Toyo Kogyo also produced weapons for the Japanes military throughout World War II. The First creatins by Mazda were the R360 (1960) and the Mazda Carol (1962).
Mazda's had a slight downfall in 1973 when the oil crisis was present. American buyers were buying cars solely on fuel efficiency, therefore creating a problem for Mazda vehciles since other company cars had better gas ussage. The oil crisis led the company to started making four-cylinder models throughout the 1970’s. They came out with the Familia line, a cheap strong vehicle with low gas cosumption. The Familia became a rather important productioni for worldwide sales.
- AZ-Wagon — Keicar Minivan
- AZ-Offroad — Keicar S.U.V.
- Mazda2/Demio — Supermini Car
- Mazda Verisa — Supermini Car
- Mazda3/Axela — Compact Car
- Mazda5/Premacy — Compact M.P.V.
- Mazda6/Atenza — Family Sedan
- Mazda8/MPV — Large M.P.V.
- MX-5/Roadster — Sports Convertible
- CX-7 — Compact Crossover S.U.V.
- B-Series — Compact Pick-up Truck
- Bongo Brawny — Commercial van
- BT-50 — 1-Ton Pick-up Truck
It was in the year 1970 when Mazda formally entered the North American market as Mazda North American Operations. Within their extraondinary new international business, Mazda created the Rotary Pickup truck for the North American market.
Mazda wanted to focuse on making fuel efficiency sports car as well as making them lighter. They built the RX-7 in 1978 and continuied the series with the RX-8. Those two models led to their most popular model known as the Roadster (MX-5 or Miata), which was introduced in 1989. The RX as well as the Roadster is known for its light weight armor.