Mazda began as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., established as a cork-making factory in Hiroshima, Japan. The company renamed itself Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1927. Facing potential bankruptcy in the late 1920s, Toyo Kogyo was saved through intervention from Hiroshima Saving Bank and other local business leaders. The name "Mazda" originated with the production of the company’s first three-wheeled trucks, derived from Ahura Mazda, a figure in West Asian civilization, and the founder Jujiro Matsuda’s name.
In 1931, Toyo Kogyo moved into vehicle manufacturing with the Mazda-Go. Other potential model names included Sumera-Go and Tenshi-Go. The company formally adopted the Mazda name in 1984, though every automobile sold from the beginning bore that name. The Mazda R360 was introduced in 1960, followed by the Mazda Carol in 1962, sold through dedicated dealerships for passenger cars called "Mazda Auto Store," while commercial products were sold at "Mazda Store."
Beginning in the 1960s, Mazda focused on the Wankel rotary engine, forming a business relationship with German company NSU. The limited-production Cosmo Sport debuted in 1967, and Mazda became the sole manufacturer of Wankel-type engines for the automotive market as other companies abandoned the design. The rotary engine’s combination of power and light weight led to increased exports. The R100 and RX series (RX-2, RX-3, and RX-4) were key to these export efforts. Mazda formally entered the American market in 1970, creating the Mazda Rotary Pickup specifically for North American buyers.
The 1973 oil crisis impacted the popularity of the relatively fuel-thirsty rotary-powered models, leading to financial difficulties for Mazda. The company was saved by intervention from the Sumitomo keiretsu group and its subcontractors. Mazda refocused the rotary engine on sporting motorists, launching the lightweight RX-7 in 1978 and later the RX-8. The Mazda MX-5 Miata, inspired by the concept ‘jinba ittai’, was introduced in 1989 to worldwide acclaim and is credited with reviving the small sports car.
In 1991, the Mazda 787B, powered by a four-rotor engine, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to win the race overall and the only non-piston-engined car to achieve this victory. This led to a ban on rotary engines in the Le Mans race starting in 1992, which has since been rescinded. In 1976, Ray Walle drove a Cosmo from a dealership in New Jersey to Daytona, won the Touring Class Under 2.5 Liters at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and drove the car back to New Jersey, with only minor modifications.
From 1974 to 2015, Mazda had a partnership with Ford, which acquired a 24.5% stake in 1979, increasing to 33.4% in 1995. This began with Ford offering a variant of the Mazda B-Series as the Ford Courier in 1971. Ford gradually divested its stake from 2008 to 2015, eventually selling its remaining shares in September 2015. The partnership involved various joint projects, including the Mazda B-Series pickup truck being based on the Ford Ranger from 1994 through 2010.
Mazda has also enjoyed success in motorsport with both its Wankel-engine cars and piston-engine models, competing in disciplines like World Land Speed competition, SCCA events, drag racing, and pro rally. The Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda and Formula Mazda have served as driver development series. Mazda also sponsors several sports teams, including the Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan, and the North Melbourne Football Club in Australia.
Mazda has conducted research in hydrogen-powered vehicles for decades, developing a hybrid version of its Premacy compact minivan using a rotary engine that can run on hydrogen or gasoline. The company also incorporates biomaterials, such as plastics and fabrics made from corn starch, into its vehicles to become more environmentally friendly.
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