The History of Mazda For You

The Mazda automotive manufacturer has developed many ground-breaking vehicles throughout its history. Included among its innovations is the use of the rotary engine. The company has also had a unique partnership with Ford Motor Company. Here are some facts about the history.

Like many automotive companies, the Japanese manufacturer Mazda started out as a different kind of business. The company was founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan under the name Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. Ltd., and it originally manufactured machine tools, such as rock drills. It did not begin vehicle production until 1931, when it introduced a 3-wheel truck. Though the company name was not officially adopted until 1984, every automobile it has manufactured throughout the years has been labeled with that name. It is derived from the name of the god of early West Asian civilizations, Ahura Mazda.

The first vehicles this company developed, 3-wheel trucks, were exported to China beginning in 1932. These exports were temporarily stopped during World War II, but restarted in 1949. In 1967, export to the European market began, and in 1968, a sales company in Canada was established. Exports to the United States did not begin until 1974. The North American corporation, Mazda, Inc. was officially established in 1981. This innovative corporation has obtained success from unique production developments since its beginning.

One key element that distinguishes this car-maker from the others is its use of a Wankel rotary engine. It began developing cars with this type of engine during the 1960s, and has continued through the present day. The benefits of the rotary engine over more common piston engines are its combination of high power output and much lighter weight. Though other companies have tried out this type of engine in the past, none have had as much success with it as Mazda. It is the sole manufacturer of both a pickup truck and a bus with the Wankel engine. During the 1973 oil crisis, the rotary engine cars lost some of their popularity because they were not very fuel efficient.

Fortunately, they still offered other vehicles with four-cylinder piston engines, which became more popular during the crisis. The automobiles with Wankel engines were still produced, but marketed more as sport vehicles. The RX-7 and the RX-8 are two models that still utilized rotary-style engines. Perhaps the most well-known car that this company has ever produced is the Miata. Also called the Roadster or MX-5, the Miata has a piston engine and was introduced in 1989. Its creation helped stimulate other manufacturers to develop similar small sports cars as they regained popularity that had been lost in the 1970s. During the 1980s, Mazda partnered with Ford Motor Company on several ventures that helped revive the company’s financial status.

The developments that arose from the partnership are numerous, but none are more well-known than the Ford Explorer. Created in 1991, the Explorer was a 2-door or 4-door sport utility vehicle. The Mazda version was called the Navajo and was available only as a 2-door model. The Navajo was sold from 1991 to 1994, but was never nearly as successful as the Explorer. The Ford version was the best seller among SUVs from the time of its introduction through more than ten years later.

It’s pioneering spirit continues as they strive to integrate alternative engine styles into their vehicles. They introduced the Miller cycle engine to the automotive world by using it in the Millenia sedan in 1995. With the growing focus on alternative fuel and electric cars, this company has already introduced such environmentally friendly vehicles.

Article Tags: Rotary Engine

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