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The company's name, "Mazda," derives from Ahura Mazda, a god of the earliest civilizations in West Asia. We have interpreted Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, intelligence and harmony, as the symbol of the origin of both Eastern and Western civilizations, and also as a symbol of automobile culture. It incorporates a desire to achieve world peace and the development of the automobile manufacturing industry. It also derives from the name of our founder, Jujiro Matsuda.




1934
This mark became the registered trademark for Mazda when production commenced on our three wheel trucks. The name ‘Mazda’ represents a combination of 'Ahura-Mazda', the name of an ancient god, and Jujiro Matsuda, founder of the Mazda Corporation.




1936
Similar to the emblem of Hiroshima city, this mark expresses Mazda’s strong links to its hometown of Hiroshima. The “m” shaped curve symbolises Mazda Motor Manufacturer. The image of wings represents Mazda’s agility, speed and capability to soar to new heights.




1959
Mazda created the classic “M’ to coincide with the launch of its first passenger cars.




1975
This mark was introduced at the same time as Mazda’s new Corporate Identity System (CIS) in1975.




1991
The logo shown here was introduced as the new product mark for Mazda in 1991. The shape symbolises the characteristics of wings, sun and the circle of light.




1998
The new Mazda brand symbol affirms our commitment to providing high quality products that offer unique driving pleasure, sales and service experience that surpass current customer expectations and earns their confidence and loyalty.



Capturing the spirit of Mazda, the stylised "M" evokes an image of wings in flight and symbolises the Mazda’s flight toward the future. The "V" in the centre of the "M" spreads out like an opening fan, representing the creativity, vitalty, flexibilty and passion that is Mazda. The symbol as a whole expresses the sharp, solid feeling that Mazda will be seeking in all of its products. The dynamic circle symbolises our readiness to spread our wings as we enter the 21st century.

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Rotary Engine Chronicle

1588
An Italian engineer, Ramelli, invented a water pump for rotary pistons

1636
Pappenheim (Germany) invented the gear pump to lubricate engines

1782
James Watt (UK) furthered rotary engine technology

1799
Murdoch (UK) created an experimental version of the rotary engine

1901
Cooley (US) created experimental version of the rotary steam engine with two stroke rotating

1909
Umpleby (UK) created an internal combustion two-stroke rotary engine

1923
Wallinder, Skoog, Lundby (Sweden) conducted joint research into rotary technology

1938
Dimitri Sensaud de Lavou (France) conducted experimental production

1943
Maillard (Switzerland) produced a star-shaped rotary engine

1951
Felix Wankel collaborated with NSU to promote his rotary engine research and development

1957
Wankel/NSU built prototype DKM rotary engine

1958
Wankel/NSU built prototype KKM rotary engine

1959
Wankel completed Type KKM250 rotary engine

1960
Wankel/NSU publicly tested their rotary engine

1961
Mazda made technical contract with NSU and Wankel
First prototype rotary engine completed at Mazda

1963
Rotary Engine Research Department established in Mazda

1964
Prototype rotary-engine-powered sports car showcased at Tokyo Motor Show

1967
Mazda's first rotary engine model 'Cosmo Sport' [aka. 'Mazda 110S'/engine type: 10A (491cc x 2)] introduced in Japanese market

1968
'Familia Rotary Coupe' [aka. 'Mazda R100 Coupe'/engine type: 13A (491cc x 2)] introduced

1969
Export of rotary engine cars to Australia and Thailand started
Luce Rotary Coupe' [aka. 'Mazda R130
Coupe'/engine type: 13A (655cc x 2)] introduced Mazda's rotary engine car cleared the emission test by US Federal Government

1970
Japanese Mechanical Engineering Society awarded Mazda for commercialization of rotary engine Export of rotary engine cars to Switzerland started
'Capela Rotary' [aka. 'Mazda RX-2'/engine type: 12A (573cc x 2) introduced
Export of rotary engine cars to the United States started
Accumulative production of rotary engine cars reached 100,000 units

1971
'Savanna Rotary' [aka. 'Mazda RX-3'/engine type: 10A (491cc x 2)] introduced
Accumulative production of rotary engine cars reached 200,000 units

1972
'Capela Rotary Coupe,' with its engine fully sealed, completed 100,000km endurance run through eleven European countries
'Luce Rotary' [aka. 'Mazda RX-4'/engine type: 12A (573cc x 2)] introduced

1973
Mazda's rotary engine car cleared US 1975 emission standards
Accumulative production of rotary engine cars reached 500,000 units
'Luce AP Grand Tourismo' [engine type: 13B (654cc x 2)] introduced

1974
'Parkway Rotary 26' [engine type: 13B (654cc x 2)] introduced

1975
'Roadpacer AP' [engine type: 13B (654cc x 2)] introduced
'Cosmo AP' [aka. 'Mazda RX-5'/engine type: 13B (654cc x 2)] introduced(featuring a low emission rotary engine with 40% improved fuel-efficiency)

1977
Cosmo L introduced for sale
Luce Legato [engine type: 12A (573cc x 2) and 13B(654cc x 2) introduced for sale

1978
'Savanna RX-7' [aka. 'Mazda RX-7'/engine type: 12A (573cc x 2)] introduced
Accumulative production of rotary engine cars reached 1,000,000 units

1981
'Cosmo' and 'Luce Rotary' [aka. 'Mazda 929'/engine type: 12A (573cc x 2)] introduced

1983
Face-lifted 'Savanna RX-7' introduced with world's first rotary turbo engine

1985
Second generation 'Savanna RX-7' [aka, 'Mazda RX-7'/engine type: 13B turbo (654cc x 2)] introduced

1986
Accumulative production of rotary engine cars reached 1,500,000 units
Enhanced 'Luce Rotary' [engine type: 13B turbo (654cc x 2)] introduced

1990
'Eunos Cosmo' [engine type: 20B-REW (654cc x 3); 13B-REW (654cc x 2)] introduced (featuring would's first three-rotor rotary engine)

1991
'Mazda 787B' achieved overall win at 59th Le Mans 24 Hours race
Third generation 'Anfini RX-7' [engine type: 13B-REW (654cc x 2)] introduced (engine output of 255 horsepower)

1995
'RX-01' concept car with MSP-RE prototype engine unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

1996
'RX-7' improved with engine output of 265 horsepower

1998
'RX-7' improved with engine output of 280 horsepower

1999
'RX-EVOLV' concept car with RENESIS prototype engine unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

2001
RX-8 concept car unveiled at 2001 Tokyo Motor Show

2002
RX-7 'Spirit R' limited version introduced for sale

2003
RX-8 production model unveiled at the North American International Auto Show
Production of the new rotary engine 'RENESIS' started
Production of the RX-8 started RX-8 with the 'RENESIS' rotary engine introduced for sale
RX-8 featured in "X-MEN 2" movie The 'RENESIS' rotary engine wins the International Engine of the Year 2003 Hydrogen-powered rotary engine unveiled at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
RX-8 wins the 2004 RJC Car of The Year The 'RENESIS' rotary engine wins the RJC Technology of The Year

2004
RX-8 wins the Wheels magazine Car of the Year RX-8 'Mazdaspeed Version' limited edition introduced for sale
The 'RENESIS' rotary engine wins the technical award of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
The 'RENESIS' rotary engine wins second consecutive 2.5-3.0 liter category International Engine of the Year award
Production of RX-8 reaches 100,000 units RX-8 'Mazdaspeed Version II' limited edition introduced for sale
RX-8 wins 40 FIA international records in the 24-hour trial race in Germany
Approval of the Japanese government for public road testing of the hydrogen rotary dual-fuel RX-8 granted
RX-8 'Sport Prestige Limited' special edition introduced for sale

2005
RX-8 'Sport Prestige Limited II' special edition introduced for sale

2006
RX-8 hydrogen rotary vehicle escorts runners in All-Japan men's marathon relay race Leasing of rotary hydrogen vehicles starts RX-8 'True Red Style' special edition introduced for sale

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A Love of Technology from Our Early Days

Mazda was established in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo, Ltd. We
leveraged the mechanical technology of those early years to change
our name to Toyo Kogyo, and in March 1931 we manufactured our
first three-wheel truck, laying the foundation for future growth to
evalve into an automobile manufacturer.

In the three-wheel truck field, where almost all engines were imported
at that time, we emphasized R&D with the goal of achieving a totally
Japan-built product. Our recognition that technical capability was the
driving force behind corporate growth continued after World War II,
and R&D continued into basic technologies, especially materials. At
the same time we introduced a range of new industrial technologies
including shell casting, hailed as a revolution in casting, continuous
gas immersion technology, Alfing technology and ductile casting
manufacturing technology. The technological expertise and experience
we gained laid the groundwork for the future development of the
rotary engine.

The Region and Mazda – And August 6, 1945

Mazda enjoyed a wide range of benefits thanks to the geographical
circumstances of Hiroshima. For example, the region already had
considerable technical experience in steel product fabrication and
shipbuilding, to name two, and as a result had an extensive number of
highly-trained people with crucial knowledge and skills. Mazda also
made good use of Hiroshima's excellent transportation network and
its position on Japan’s Inland Sea, becoming the first firm in the
industry to utilize maritime transport for domestic shipments, such as
to Hokkaido. Contribution to the local community where we work has
always been a core part of Mazda, ever since our birth.

On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and
Toyo Kogyo ceased all production activities. While damage to
company facilities was minimal, because of our location 5.3 km from
the center, employee morale was devastated. The company
immediately opened all facilities and its stock of medical supplies to
the public, and devoted all of its efforts to rescue activities. The
following day, on the morning of August 7, we opened emergency
contact centers in four locations throughout the city, working to
facilitate communication between employees and their families, and
provide assistance.

For about a year from August 20, 1945, we provided portions of our
corporate facilities to the Hiroshima Prefectural government, the local
court and NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting. For this unfortunate period,
Mazda was the center of government in Hiroshima.

The Origin of the Zoom-Zoom Spirit:
The Challenge of the Rotary Engine

The continuously-rotating internal combustion engine invented by
Felix Wankel of Germany in 1919 was the first rotary engine.
Compared to standard reciprocating engines it rotated smoothly, and
the extremely simple structure mean a very low parts count. These
features, along with very low noise and vibration, drew considerable
attention years later, and over 100 firms around the world expressed
interest in accessing the technology even as development proceeded
toward a practical implementation. Mazda was also extremely
interested in developing this new type of engine, recognizing in it a
possible solution to the needs of the emerging motorized society.

In 1961 we entered into negotiations with NSU and Wankel GmbH,
concerning rotary engine technology. Mazda cleared a host of
technical obstacles, and in May 1967 finally released the Cosmo
Sports, mounting the world's first 2-rotor rotary engine. This created
the solid base behind Mazda's technology, which has earned its
reputation across the globe, and was also the starting point of the
"Zoom-Zoom" spirit representing our love for machinery and vehicles.

alfy28

hmmi dont see efini or the once so close to be the american Amati department?
but awesome read tc. i didnt know familia had a rotary in it at one time.

JRichter

Nice post. I wonder what would have happened if Mazda went on with the Amati division. I remember talk of a V12 RWD sedan. I'm sure they would have been in much deeper financial trouble then what they were in by the mid 90's.

alfy28

http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/greatcar/p12.html

Japan’s most powerful machine makes a spectacular debut

Launched in September 1971, the Mazda Savanna was powered by the 10A rotary engine and came in two body styles: coupe and sedan. Named after the world’s first steamboat and nuclearpowered ship, the Savanna conjured up a powerful image of big game roaming across the wild beauty of the African plains. In its first month alone, the Savanna sold 5,406 units. This result, and the fact that more than half of the tradein vehicles in the first month were from other carmakers, makes it no surprise that the Savanna went on to have such a huge impact on the market.


In 1972, the Mazda Savanna was updated with the powerful 12A rotary engine. This version repeatedly raced and eventually beat Nissan’s legendary Skyline GT-R, the undefeated Japanese touring car champion at the time.
In 1976, the Savanna showed its dominance by achieving its 100th victory in Japanese motor sports — the record for a single model car — and became a firm favorite among the younger generation.


In a climate of growing concern over environmental regulations, the Savanna matched outstanding running performance with environmental compatibility.
The Savanna AP was added to the series in 1973. Specially engineered to comply with the latest exhaust gas regulations, it used various means, including a thermal reactor* to reduce its emissions.

*Thermal Reactor: A system by which NOx generation is suppressed due to the relatively low maximum combustion temperature of the rotary engine, while the high average combustion temperature is used to reburn hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust.

Early embodiment of Mazda’s sporting spirit

In March 1978, the Savanna RX-7 was launched as the successor to the Savanna series. Developed under Mazda’s “The pursuit of driving pleasure” slogan, the Savanna RX-7 had a low, sharp nose thanks to its front-midship engine layout, and a bold, wedge-shaped body that prioritized aerodynamics.
A glass hatchback and other features also helped to earn it world-wide recognition. According to the late Paul Frere, a motoring journalist and then chairman of the World Press Association, “Its looks alone are cause for excitement. It’s refined, too. The handling can be summed up as simply marvellous.”


The Savanna RX-7 was highly active in motor sports in the US. Competing against the likes of the Nissan Fairlady 240Z and Porsche 911, the Savanna RX-7 left behind an unprecedented record of 100 victories in IMSA* series races.


The IMSA series was succeeded by the current Grand Am series. In the 2008 Grand Am series, victory in the first race, the Daytona 24-hour in January, went to the RX-8. That win marked a total of 22 class victories for the RX-8 at Daytona; proof that Mazda’s sporting spirit lives on.

* International Motor Sports Association (USA)

khronus79

iTrader: (1)

Great read, nice posts, keep them coming

ASH8

Re post from a few years back....almost..

Interesting to see it again though