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Mazda History
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Americans were first introduced to Mazda's performance mindset in 1970 with the debut of the Mazda R100 and then again with the launch of the RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, and the Mazda RX-7. This sports car, rivaling rides including the Nissan Z, was redesigned in 1986 and again in 2003, at which time the car was re-released as the 232-horspower Mazda RX-8.
While development of the RX-7 and RX-8 was progressing, Mazda was also stoking the fires behind America's love affair with the roadster. Released in 1989, the Mazda Miata presented buyers with timeless styling and drop top fun at an affordable price. Better yet, it was more reliable than the British classics it aimed to mimic. Over the years, the Miata was upgraded visually and internally; a Mazda MX5 Miata PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) model was released in 2006.
Mazda's mainstream passenger car heritage goes back to introductions of the Mazda GLC and Mazda 626 in the late 1970s. These vehicles were the precursors to the Mazda3 and Mazda6, and along the way were treated to the Mazda GLX trim package. Other sedans, including the Mazda 929 and Mazda Millenia, rounded out the lineup, while the Mazda MPV attempted to quench buyers' thirsts for a family-friendly minivan. Like many of its competitors, Mazda eventually abandoned the minivan segment, offering the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 instead. Two other models, the Mazda B-Series pickup and Mazda Tribute (and Mazda Tribute Hybrid with limited availability), are essentially rebadged Ford models, and though serving small niches, they lack Mazda's inherently sporty nature.
Looking into Mazda's future via recent concept cars like the Mazda Furai and Mazda Taiki suggests that the company is intent on pushing the envelope in terms of sports car styling, whereas the Mazda Kiyora and Mazda Kazamai hint at the future of more mainstream vehicles.
While development of the RX-7 and RX-8 was progressing, Mazda was also stoking the fires behind America's love affair with the roadster. Released in 1989, the Mazda Miata presented buyers with timeless styling and drop top fun at an affordable price. Better yet, it was more reliable than the British classics it aimed to mimic. Over the years, the Miata was upgraded visually and internally; a Mazda MX5 Miata PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) model was released in 2006.
Mazda's mainstream passenger car heritage goes back to introductions of the Mazda GLC and Mazda 626 in the late 1970s. These vehicles were the precursors to the Mazda3 and Mazda6, and along the way were treated to the Mazda GLX trim package. Other sedans, including the Mazda 929 and Mazda Millenia, rounded out the lineup, while the Mazda MPV attempted to quench buyers' thirsts for a family-friendly minivan. Like many of its competitors, Mazda eventually abandoned the minivan segment, offering the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 instead. Two other models, the Mazda B-Series pickup and Mazda Tribute (and Mazda Tribute Hybrid with limited availability), are essentially rebadged Ford models, and though serving small niches, they lack Mazda's inherently sporty nature.
Looking into Mazda's future via recent concept cars like the Mazda Furai and Mazda Taiki suggests that the company is intent on pushing the envelope in terms of sports car styling, whereas the Mazda Kiyora and Mazda Kazamai hint at the future of more mainstream vehicles.
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