Mazda research
Mazda history: from a 1920 Hiroshima cork maker to the CX-90
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan, makes Mazda cars. It was founded on January 30, 1920, as Toyo Cork Kogyo, built its first passenger car, the R360 Coupe, in 1960 and began exporting to the US in 1970. In the US, Mazda North American Operations, based in Irvine, California, handles sales and service.
Mazda history timeline
Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.
1920
Toyo Cork Kogyo is founded
Mazda began as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., founded in Hiroshima on January 30, 1920. Under its second president, Jujiro Matsuda, it shifted from cork to machinery after a fire destroyed most of its plant.[1],[2]
1927–1931
Toyo Kogyo and the Mazda-go
The company became Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. in September 1927. In October 1931 it began building its first three-wheel truck, the Type-DA “Mazda-go.”[1],[2]
1960
R360 Coupe, the first Mazda car
The R360 Coupe of May 1960 was Mazda's first passenger car: a four-seat coupe with a 356 cc, 16-hp air-cooled engine, priced at 300,000 yen.[1],[3]
1967
Cosmo Sport and the rotary engine
After a 1961 technical tie-up with NSU and Wankel, Mazda launched the Cosmo Sport in May 1967. Mazda says it was powered by the world's first two-rotor rotary engine, with 110 hp.[1],[2]
1970
Mazda comes to the US
Mazda set up a US sales office in Washington state in January 1970, began exporting to the US in April and started shipping rotary-engine cars to the US in June.[1]
1978
RX-7
The Savanna RX-7 was introduced in March 1978 with a 130-hp 12A two-rotor engine mounted front-midship and pop-up headlights.[1],[2]
1979
Capital tie-up with Ford
Toyo Kogyo formed a capital alliance with Ford Motor Company in 1979. Ford raised its stake from 25% to 33.4% in 1996 and later sold down its shares after the 2008 financial crisis.[1],[2],[4]
1984
Mazda Motor Corporation
Toyo Kogyo changed its name to Mazda Motor Corporation in 1984 to unify its company and brand names.[2],[5]
1987
Building cars in America
Vehicle production began at Mazda Motor Manufacturing (USA) Corporation in September 1987. In 1992 the plant became AutoAlliance International, an equal partnership with Ford.[4],[5]
1989
MX-5 Miata
Mazda showed the MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989, and production began that April. EPA lists it from the 1990 model year.[5],[6],[7]
1990
The Protegé name
The US sedan version of the Familia (323) appears in EPA listings as the 323 Protegé from the 1990 model year and as the Protegé from 1992 to 2003.[4],[7]
1991
Le Mans win with the 787B
The rotary-powered Mazda 787B No. 55 won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first victory there for a Japanese automaker and for a rotary engine.[4],[8]
1997
Mazda North American Operations
Mazda streamlined its North American operations in October 1997, when Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) started. MNAO, headquartered in Irvine, California, oversees US sales, marketing, parts and customer service.[4],[9]
2000–2001
Tribute compact SUV
Mazda revealed the Tribute, jointly developed with Ford, at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2000. EPA lists it from the 2001 model year.[6],[7]
2010–2012
Skyactiv and the CX-5
Mazda revealed its Skyactiv technologies in October 2010. The CX-5, launched in February 2012, was the first of its new-generation models; EPA lists it from 2013.[2],[7],[10]
2017–2022
Toyota alliance and a new US plant
Mazda formed a business and capital alliance with Toyota in August 2017 and a joint US manufacturing company in March 2018. Production of the CX-50 began at the new US plant in January 2022.[11],[12]
2020
100 years
Mazda marked its 100th anniversary in January 2020, and that year launched its first mass-production EV, the MX-30, in Europe.[2],[3]
2023
CX-90 flagship
MNAO introduced the first-ever 2024 CX-90 on January 31, 2023: a three-row crossover on Mazda's new large platform with an inline-six turbo and a plug-in hybrid.[13]
2026
One million from Huntsville
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama, built its one millionth vehicle in October 2026. The plant assembles the Mazda CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid alongside Toyota models.[14]
When key Mazda models were sold in the US
| Model | EPA-listed model years | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RX-7 | 1984–1995 | Introduced in Japan in March 1978 |
| MPV | 1989–2006 | No 1999 listing |
| MX-5 Miata | 1990–2026 | Shown at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show |
| 323 Protegé / Protegé | 1990–2003 | Sedan version of the Familia (323) |
| Millenia | 1995–2002 | |
| Tribute | 2001–2011 | No 2007 listing; Tribute Hybrid 2006 and 2008–2011 |
| Mazda6 | 2003–2021 | |
| Mazda3 | 2004–2026 | |
| RX-8 | 2004–2011 | |
| CX-7 | 2007–2012 | |
| CX-9 | 2007–2023 | |
| CX-5 | 2013–2026 | First Skyactiv-era model, launched February 2012 |
| CX-3 | 2016–2021 | |
| CX-30 | 2020–2026 | |
| MX-30 | 2022–2023 | Mazda's first mass-production EV |
| CX-50 | 2023–2026 | Built in Huntsville, Alabama |
| CX-90 | 2024–2026 | Three-row flagship on Mazda's large platform |
| CX-70 | 2025–2026 | Premiered in North America in January 2024 |
Rotary-engine milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 1961 | Technical cooperation with NSU and Wankel on the rotary engine |
| May 1967 | Cosmo Sport, Mazda's first rotary-engine car |
| June 1970 | Rotary-engine cars exported to the US |
| March 1978 | Savanna RX-7 with a 130-hp 12A two-rotor engine |
| June 1991 | 787B wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans |
| January 2003 | Production of the RENESIS rotary engine begins |
| June 2023 | Mass production of the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV begins |
Every Mazda model history
Cars
- Mazda Protegé history history (1990–2003)
SUVs
- Mazda Tribute history history (2001–2011)
How to check a Mazda's factory build
Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[15]. For a 1981-or-later Mazda, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Mazda build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Mazda cars?
Mazda Motor Corporation, headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan. In the US, Mazda North American Operations in Irvine, California, oversees sales, marketing, parts and customer service.
When was Mazda founded?
On January 30, 1920, as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Hiroshima. It became Toyo Kogyo in 1927 and Mazda Motor Corporation in 1984.
When did Mazda start selling cars in the US?
Mazda opened a US sales office in Washington state in January 1970 and began exporting to the US in April 1970. Rotary-engine cars followed that June.
Did Ford own Mazda?
Ford held a stake, not full ownership. A capital tie-up began in 1979, Ford raised its share from 25% to 33.4% in 1996, and Ford gradually sold its Mazda shares after the 2008 financial crisis, ending 12 years of Ford-led management.
Has Mazda won Le Mans?
Yes. The rotary-powered Mazda 787B won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first win there for a Japanese automaker and for a rotary engine.
Are Mazdas built in the US?
Some are. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, a joint venture in Huntsville, Alabama, assembles the Mazda CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid; CX-50 production started there in January 2022.
More Mazda research
Sources
Production figures, dates and ratings come from Mazda press, product and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.
- History 1920–1979 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- Historical Highlights (History of Mazda) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- Mazda Honors Centennial With 100th Anniversary Special Edition Series (April 3, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations (Mazda USA News)
- History 1990–1999 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- History 1980–1989 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- History 2000–2004 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- Mazda model listings by model year, 1984–2026 (Find a Car) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
- Le Mans 1991: Mazda Motorsports Looks Back as It Races into the Future (June 15, 2016) — Mazda North American Operations (Mazda USA News)
- Mazda Announces 2025 MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary (January 24, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations (Mazda USA News)
- History 2010–2014 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- History 2015–2019 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- History 2020–2024 — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
- Mazda Debuts First-Ever 2024 Mazda CX-90 (January 31, 2023) — Mazda North American Operations (Mazda USA News)
- Thanks A Million: Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Celebrates One Millionth Vehicle (October 28, 2026) — Mazda North American Operations (Mazda USA News)
- 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda North American Operations or Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda and the model names are trademarks of their owners.