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Mazda began in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo, a manufacturer of machine tools, before transitioning to vehicles. In 1931 the company introduced the Mazda-Go, a three-wheeled truck. After World War II, Mazda produced four-wheeled trucks before entering the passenger car market in 1960 with the R360 coupe. Mazda's defining moment came when it licensed the Wankel rotary engine from NSU and spent years perfecting it, launching the Cosmo Sport 110S in 1967 as the first production car with a dual-rotor rotary engine.
The rotary engine became Mazda's signature technology, culminating in the RX-7 and RX-8. In the 1990s, Mazda's fortunes declined, leading to Ford taking a controlling stake. The 1989 MX-5 Miata revived the affordable two-seat roadster and became the best-selling sports car of all time.
[Uncertain: the claim that MX-5 is the best-selling sports car ever is widely reported but depends on how sports car is defined; it is uncontested in the two-seat roadster segment.] In the 2010s, Mazda developed its SkyActiv suite of technologies and Kodo design language, restoring the brand's independence and reputation.
Mazda is the only manufacturer to have mass-produced the Wankel rotary engine, selling nearly two million rotary-powered vehicles. The 1991 Mazda 787B became the first (and only) Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, using a four-rotor R26B engine.
Mazda's SkyActiv technology suite rethought the internal combustion engine from first principles, achieving high compression ratios (14:1 on gasoline) for improved efficiency without turbocharging or hybridization. The SkyActiv-X engine introduced compression ignition for gasoline (SPCCI), though its real-world adoption remained limited.
Mazda's Kodo design language and emphasis on driving dynamics (Jinba Ittai: rider and horse as one) set it apart in the mainstream market. The company has also developed the MX-30 as its first production electric vehicle.
Mazda is founded in Hiroshima, Japan, originally as Toyo Cork Kogyo.
Mazda launches the Cosmo Sport, the first production car with a dual-rotor Wankel rotary engine.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata debuts, reviving the affordable lightweight roadster and becoming the best-selling two-seat sports car in history.
The Mazda 787B wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the only Japanese manufacturer to achieve this.
Mazda introduces the SkyActiv technology suite, reengineering engines, transmissions, and chassis for efficiency.
How the platform works for buyers and dealers