Company overview
Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., a cork-making factory in Hiroshima, Japan. The company later changed its name to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. and began producing vehicles in 1931, introducing the Mazda-Go auto rickshaw as its first product. The name ‘Mazda’ originates from Ahura Mazda, the god of harmony and wisdom in ancient West Asia. The company developed innovative technologies like the Wankel engine and the SkyActiv platform, and has a long history of motorsport involvement, including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991. From 1974 to 2015, Mazda had a partnership with Ford Motor Company, during which time the company produced vehicles like the Laser and Telstar. Mazda faced significant financial difficulties in the 1970s, leading to intervention by Sumitomo Keiretsu. Following a period of partnership with Ford, Mazda divested its remaining shares in 2015. In 2011, Mazda raised a substantial amount of capital to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico and introduced the SkyActiv branding for its fuel-efficient technologies.
