Mazda started building vehicles a hundred years ago . It remained at the foot of Mount Hijiyama (Hiroshima), where it had made a name for itself as a manufacturer of cork, a material that is still part of its essence and spirit. A philosophy that is aware of the environmental impact of models such as the Mazda MX-30, the first 100% electric of the firm. Its upholstery has been made using recycled PET bottles , a reuse process that we also find in bumpers and door linings. There is no question about the importance of innovation in Mazda history, from the launch of the Mazda-Go a century ago to the commitment to rotary engines . His indomitable character has been part of every release, including that of his familiar models, a segment that runs the risk of being boring and unemotional.
With the launch of the Mazda R360 the firm proved, once again, that it would not follow established patterns. The first unit left the factory in 1960 as its first series-production passenger car. Until then they had been dedicated to business models and rebuilding their village after the impact of the atomic bomb. The Mukainada spirit accompanied them in this new adventure that ended up being a success.
The first relative
The Mazda R360 was a 2.98 meter long minicar but it could fit four people perfectly. Its compact design did not prevent it from conquering the market, eager for beautiful and comfortable vehicles. This two-door coupe silhouette dominated the segment in the 1960s and established the firm’s name for decades to come.
Three years later, the Mazda 800 or Mazda 100 (outside of Japan) arrived, a model renamed the Mazda Familia . The R360 and Carol P360, launched in 1962 with some improvements, had paved the way for their final introduction to the family car market. Its Wagon bodywork offered the typical practicality of a van with the aesthetics and comfort of a passenger car , without forgetting the dynamic aspect of driving. The aesthetic section was commissioned by Carrozzería Bertone , the Italian design house that gave it the charming touch.
It soon rose as the best-selling model in the segment in Japan, with a 44% market share and new versions in the range: sedan, coupe and station wagon. In 1967 its second generation was launched, the first to set foot on the old continent and to be replaced in 1977 by the Mazda 323.
A design that falls in love
The current Mazda3, born from the firm’s Kodo design language, has been recognized as the most beautiful vehicle of the year at the 2020 World Car Design of the Year awards. This concern for beauty and the emotional connection to the machine is not new. We can already see it in the beautiful Mazda Luce . It was developed from a Bertone in sedan and wagon variants and its launch (1966) aroused longings around the world. Its export to Europe paved the arrival of other models such as the Mazda 818 / RX-3, the Capella / RX-2 or the 929 / RX-4.
The Mazda 626, introduced in 1978, was the one that got the necessary attention from the European market. It became the best-selling imported model in Germany in 1988 and 1989 , reaching a position of power among Asian manufacturers present on the continent. This first generation was marketed in a 4-door and coupe version but, from the second batch (1982), it also had the 5-door option. The update also featured front-wheel drive and a diesel block , innovations that earned it the 1982 Japan Car of the Year award. The first-generation Mazda6, introduced in 2002 , was to be on par with its predecessor. Its design and sporty demeanor took it to the top in a matter of months. In four years, 2 million units were registered.
Mazda MPVs
The presence of Mazda minivans in Spain is not remarkable but its essence is found in the SUVs that today travel our roads. Even in this segment, which prioritizes functionality and space, the firm wanted to risk with innovative concepts. The Mazda Bongo (1966) will sound familiar to those who have traveled to Asian countries. Some of the dozens of versions that were launched are still circulating, from limited editions to camperizations . It was a low-floor van measuring 3.77 meters long and accommodating up to eight seats.
The Mazda MPV (1988) is the company’s first minivan , which landed in Europe in the mid-1990s. Fortunately, its second generation had a more attractive design and the Karakuri seats offered excellent modularity for large families. The Mazda Primacy was the compact but versatile option, with seven seats and two sliding doors. The second generation of this family was renamed Mazda5 (2005) , a model that disappeared in 2010 with the arrival of SUVs.
