Mazda

Founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Hiroshima, the company initially produced cork products before transitioning to machine tools and eventually three-wheeled vehicles like the Mazda-Go in 1931. Following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, the company played a vital role in the city's reconstruction. In 1960, Mazda entered the passenger car market with the R360 coupe, marking a significant milestone in its expansion as a mass-market manufacturer. In the 1960s, Mazda distinguished itself by successfully commercializing the Wankel rotary engine, first featured in the 1967 Cosmo Sport 110S. This technological path defined the brand's identity for decades, leading to iconic sports cars such as the RX-7 and RX-8, and culminating in Mazda becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 with the rotary-powered 787B. From 1974 until 2015, Mazda maintained a significant strategic partnership with Ford Motor Company, which at one point held a 33.4% stake. This era saw the sharing of platforms and engines across global markets. However, following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford gradually divested its stake, leading Mazda to refocus on its independent 'Skyactiv' technology suite—a holistic approach to optimizing engines, transmissions, and chassis for efficiency and performance. Today, Mazda is successfully pivoting toward a 'near-premium' status, expanding its 'Large Product Group' of rear-wheel-drive-based SUVs like the CX-60 and CX-90. While continuing to refine internal combustion through technologies like Skyactiv-X, the company is also implementing a phased electrification strategy, including battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, while maintaining its reputation for manufacturing the world's best-selling roadster, the MX-5 Miata.